Covering for architectural features, and related systems, methods of operation, and manufacture

ABSTRACT

A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements extending between generally inner and outer vertical support members that can adjust and control the amount and quality of light transmitted through the covering is described. In one embodiment, the covering has elongate tapes as vertical support members that have a width substantially less than the length of the vane elements, and adjacent inner and adjacent outer elongate tapes are separated by a distance. In one embodiment, the vane elements are multi-layered, cellular vanes. The elongated multilayered vanes may include elongate stiffeners that may be associated with, coupled to, and or inserted within pockets formed in, the multilayered vanes. Also disclosed is a method of operation and manufacture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/414,548, filed Oct. 28, 2016, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entity.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection, particularly the Figuresappended hereto. The copyright owner has no objection to thereproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as itappears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, butotherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to coverings for architectural featuresand related systems, and methods of operation and manufacture. In oneembodiment a retractable covering, preferably a roll-up, flexible,covering for a window opening is disclosed.

Description of Related Art

Retractable coverings for architectural features have assumed numerousforms over a long period of time. Originally, coverings forarchitectural features such as windows, doors, archways or the likeconsisted principally of fabric draped across the architecturalfeatures. Such early forms of coverings evolved into retractable rollershades, curtains, draperies, and the like wherein the covering could beextended across the architectural feature (e.g., opening) and/orretracted to a top or side of the feature (e.g., opening).

An early but still popular form of covering for architectural featuresis the Venetian blind wherein a plurality of vertically extending cordladders support parallel horizontally extending vanes or slats in amanner such that the vanes that inhibit light transmission can bepivoted about their longitudinal axes to control the amount of lightpermitted to transmit through the feature (e.g., opening), and theentire blind can be moved between an extended position where it extendsacross at least a portion of the height of the architectural feature anda retracted position where the vanes are accumulated in a vertical stackadjacent to the top of the architectural feature.

Vertical blinds are also available where the slats or vanes that inhibitlight transmission extend vertically and are suspended at their upperends for pivotal movement about their longitudinal vertical axes. Theentire blind can be extended across the architectural opening orretracted adjacent to one or more sides of the opening in a verticalstack.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a covering for an architectural feature,which may preferably be a retractable covering, and more preferably aflexible roll-up covering, for windows and the like. The disclosure isdirected to a person of ordinary skill in the art and the purpose andadvantages of the architectural covering will be set forth in, and beapparent from the written description, as well as from the appendeddrawings.

A covering in accordance with the disclosure may include a roller, ahead rail, a flexible light-controlling subassembly, a bottom rail, anda movement mechanism. The flexible light-controlling subassembly mayinclude a plurality of vanes and at least two generally vertical supportmembers, preferably elongate tapes, for moving the vanes. The pluralityof vanes may include non-cellular vanes and/or multi-layered cellularvanes, and in one embodiment includes at least one multi-layered vanehaving at least two vane layers configured and arranged to form a tubehaving a horizontally extending space or cell there between when thevane is in at least an expanded position. In one embodiment the vanelayers may be connected, coupled, or attached to each other, directly orindirectly, along their side edges so that the vane layers may separatein the middle region to form an elongate, generally longitudinal sleeveor tube having a space or cell in between the layers. In one embodiment,the vane layers may be connected, coupled, or attached, directly orindirectly, to the support members, e.g., tapes, to facilitate formingthe generally elongate, longitudinal sleeve or tube having the spacingor cell. The generally elongate longitudinal sleeve or tube may have anycross-sectional shape. One or more elongate stiffeners may be associatedwith, disposed along, attached, connected, and/or coupled, directly orindirectly, to the vanes, and preferably two elongate stiffeners areassociated with each vane. In one embodiment, the elongate stiffener(s)may be angled and relatively thin.

The roller may be associated with preferably coupled, directly orindirectly, to the head rail and preferably configured to rotaterelative to the headrail. The movement mechanism may be associated withor coupled, directly or indirectly, to the roller and preferablyconfigured to rotate the roller. The support members, e.g. elongatetapes, may be associated with, and preferably coupled, directly orindirectly, to the roller. The plurality of vanes may be associatedwith, preferably coupled, directly or indirectly, to the supportmembers, e.g. elongate tapes. The bottom rail may be associated with,preferably coupled, directly or indirectly, to the support members,e.g., elongate tapes, and/or one or more of the vanes. In an embodiment,the roll-up covering may operate by use of the movement mechanism torotate the roller to move the flexible subassembly. The flexiblesubassembly may move from a rolled configuration, where it is wrappedabout the roller and does not block any light, to being in a partiallyunrolled, collapsed configuration that may inhibit, diffuse, and/orblock transmission of some of the light or view-through, to being in afully-unrolled configuration where the subassembly is no longer wrappedabout the roller but instead is fully hanging from the roller, to afully-unrolled expanded configuration where one or more of the vaneshave pivoted so that its middle portion is in a substantially horizontalposition which may allow at least some light to pass through gaps thatform between adjacent vanes, and may inhibit, diffuse, and/or blocktransmission of some of the light and view through.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects, features, and embodiments of the architecturalcovering as disclosed herein will be better understood when read inconjunction with the drawings provided. Embodiments are provided in thedrawings for the purposes of illustrating aspects, features, and/orvarious embodiments of the window covering, but the claims should not belimited to the precise arrangement, structures, subassemblies, features,embodiments, aspects, and devices shown, and the arrangements,structures, subassemblies, features, embodiments, aspects, and devicesshown may be used singularly or in combination with other arrangements,structures, subassemblies, features, embodiments, aspects, and devices.The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are not in any wayintended to limit the scope of this invention, but are merely presentedto illustrate and describe various embodiments, aspects, and features ofthe architectural covering, which may be used singularly or incombination, or with additional features, aspects, or embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front-side perspective view of an embodiment of a roll-upcellular covering having a subassembly in an unrolled and expandedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a front-side perspective view of another embodiment of aroll-up covering having a subassembly in an unrolled and expandedconfiguration.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a roll-uparchitectural covering in a fully rolled-up configuration.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a roll-uparchitectural covering in a partially-unrolled, collapsed configuration.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of an embodiment of a roll-uparchitectural covering in a fully-unrolled, collapsed configuration.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of an embodiment of a roll-uparchitectural covering in a fully-unrolled, partially-expandedconfiguration.

FIG. 3E is a perspective view of an embodiment of a roll-uparchitectural covering in a fully-unrolled, fully-expandedconfiguration.

FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of an end view of an embodiment ofa roll-up cellular architectural covering in a fully-unrolled, collapsedconfiguration.

FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of an end view of an embodiment ofa roll-up cellular architectural covering in a fully-unrolled,partially-expanded configuration.

FIG. 4C is a schematic representation of an end view of an embodiment ofa roll-up cellular architectural covering in a fully-unrolled,fully-expanded configuration.

FIG. 4D is a schematic representation of an end view of an embodiment ofa roll-up cellular architectural covering in a fully-unrolled,fully-expanded configuration with light interacting with the covering.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a sheet of flexible material.

FIG. 5B is an end view of the sheet illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is an end view of the non-cellular vane in a substantiallyexpanded position.

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of a portion of an additional embodimentof a flexible, light controlling subassembly, having both multi-layeredcellular vanes and non-cellular vanes.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a multi-layered vane.

FIG. 6B is an end view of the multi-layered vane of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is an end view of an embodiment of the multi-layered vane asillustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B in a substantially expanded position.

FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the embodiment of the multi-layeredvane of FIG. 6C.

FIG. 7A is an end view of a single piece of material arranged to beformed into an embodiment of a multi-layered vane.

FIG. 7B is a front view of multi-layered vane of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is an end view of a single piece of material arranged to beformed into another embodiment of a multi-layered vane.

FIG. 7D is a front view of the multi-layered vane of FIG. 7C.

FIG. 8A is an end view of multiple pieces of material arranged to beformed into an embodiment of a multi-layered vane.

FIG. 8B is a front view of the multi-layered vane of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 8C is an end view of multiple pieces of material arranged to beformed into another embodiment of a multi-layered vane.

FIG. 8D is a front view of the multi-layered vane of FIG. 9C.

FIG. 8E is an end view of multiple pieces of material arranged to beformed into a different embodiment of a multi-layered vane.

FIG. 8F is a front view of the multi-layered vane of FIG. 8E.

FIG. 9A is an end view of an embodiment of multiple pieces of materialarranged to be formed into an embodiment of a multi-layered vane havingstiffener pockets.

FIG. 9B is a front view of the multi-layered vane of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a substantiallyplanar elongate stiffener.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the elongate stiffener of FIG. 10Ataken along plane B-B as shown in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a curved elongatestiffener.

FIG. 10D is a cross-sectional view of the elongate stiffener of FIG. 10Ctaken along plane B-B as shown in FIG. 10C.

FIG. 10E is a top perspective view of an embodiment of an angledelongate stiffener.

FIG. 10F is a cross-sectional view of the elongate stiffener of FIG. 10Etaken along plane B-B as shown in FIG. 10E.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate a process for creating an angled elongatestiffener.

FIG. 12A is an exploded end view of an embodiment of a stiffenedmulti-layered vane.

FIG. 12B is an exploded end view of an embodiment of a flexible, lightcontrolling subassembly having the stiffened multi-layered vaneillustrated in FIG. 12A and elongate tapes.

FIG. 12C is a magnified view of portion A-A of FIG. 12B showing theattachment of the multi-layered vane to the elongate tapes.

FIG. 12D is a perspective view of the light controlling subassemblyillustrated in FIG. 12B in a substantially collapsed configuration.

FIG. 12E is a perspective view of the light controlling subassemblyillustrated in FIG. 12B in a substantially expanded configuration.

FIG. 13A is an exploded end view of another embodiment of a stiffenedmulti-layered vane.

FIG. 13B is an exploded end view of an embodiment of a flexible, lightcontrolling subassembly having the stiffened multi-layered vaneillustrated in FIG. 13A and elongate tapes.

FIG. 13C is a magnified view of portion A-A of FIG. 13B showing theattachment of the multi-layered vane to the elongate types.

FIG. 13D is a perspective view of the subassembly illustrated in FIG.13B in an unrolled substantially collapsed configuration with themulti-layered vane in a substantially collapsed position.

FIG. 13E is a perspective view of the subassembly illustrated in FIG.13B in an unrolled substantially expanded configuration with themulti-layered vane in a substantially expanded position.

FIG. 14A is an exploded end view of another embodiment of a stiffenedmulti-layered vane.

FIG. 14B is an exploded end view of an embodiment of a flexible, lightcontrolling subassembly having the stiffened multi-layered vaneillustrated in FIG. 14A and elongate tapes.

FIG. 14C is a magnified view of portion A-A of FIG. 14B.

FIG. 14D is a perspective view of the subassembly illustrated in FIG.14B in a substantially collapsed configuration.

FIG. 14E is a perspective view of the subassembly illustrated in FIG.14B in a substantially expanded configuration.

FIG. 15 is an end view of a portion of an embodiment of a roll-upcellular architectural covering with a cellular vane rolled around theroller.

FIG. 16 is an end view of a portion of an embodiment of a roll-upcellular architectural covering with a subassembly in apartially-unrolled, collapsed configuration.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a roller having adoor in the open position.

FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the roller of FIG. 17A with the doorin a closed position.

FIGS. 17C-D are perspective views of an embodiment of a subassemblyconnected to a roller having a door.

FIGS. 17E-17H are perspective views of a portion of an embodiment of anarchitectural covering having elongate tapes and vane material connectedto a roller including a door at various points of deployment.

FIG. 18A is perspective view of multiple pieces of vane material andmultiple pieces of pocket sheet material.

FIG. 18B is an end view of multiple pieces of vane material and multiplepieces of pocket sheet material arranged to be formed into an embodimentof a multi-layered vane.

FIG. 18C is an end view of multiple pieces of vane material withmultiple pieces of pocket sheet material connected thereto and multipleelongate stiffeners arranged to be configured into an embodiment of astiffened multi-layered vane.

FIG. 18D is an end view of an embodiment of a stiffened multi-layeredvane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous details are set forth inorder to provide an understanding of an architectural covering, itsmethod of operation, and method of manufacture. The description isdirected to one of ordinary skill in the art and in circumstances,well-known methods, procedures, manufacturing techniques, components,and assemblies have not been described in detail so as not to obscureother aspects or features of the architectural covering. However, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that different andnumerous embodiments of the architectural covering, and its method ofoperation and manufacture may be practiced without these specificdetails, and the claims and inventions should not be limited to theembodiments, subassemblies, or the specified features or detailsspecifically described and shown herein.

Accordingly, it will be readily understood that the components, aspects,features, elements, and subassemblies of the embodiments, as generallydescribed and illustrated in the figures herein, can be arranged anddesigned in a variety of different configurations in addition to thedescribed embodiments. It is to be understood that the covering may beused with many additions, substitutions, or modifications of form,structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components, whichmay be particularly adapted to specific environments and operativerequirements without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. The following descriptions are intended only by way ofexample, and simply illustrate certain selected embodiments of anarchitectural covering. For example, while the architectural covering isshown and described in examples with particular reference to its use asa window covering to control light and view-through, it should beunderstood that the covering would have other applications as well. Inaddition, while the detailed description in many examples is generallydirected to a covering formed of elongate tapes forming generallyvertical supporting elements, and/or multi-layered vanes of a particularstructure, it will be appreciated that the disclosure and teachings haveapplication to other materials forming the vertical support elements,such as, for example, strips, sheets, sheers, panels and combinationsthereof, as well as other constructions and structures for themulti-layered vanes. The claims appended hereto will set forth theclaimed invention and should be broadly construed, unless otherwiseclearly indicated to be more narrowly construed to exclude embodiments.

Throughout the present application, reference numbers are used toindicate a generic element or feature of the covering. The samereference number may be used to indicate elements or features that arenot identical in form, shape, structure, etc., which provide similarfunctions or benefits. Additional reference characters (such as primes,letters and superscript) may be used to differentiate similar elementsor features from one another. It should be understood that for ease ofdescription the disclosure does not always refer to or list all thecomponents of the covering, and that a singular reference to an element,member or structure, e.g., a singular reference to a tape, an innertape, an outer tape, a vane, a strip, a slat, a pocket, a stiffener, avertical support element, or a horizontal vane element may be areference to one or more such elements, unless the context indicatesotherwise.

In the following description of various embodiments of the architecturalcovering, it will be appreciated that all directional references (e.g.,proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral,longitudinal, front, rear, inner, outer, back, top, bottom, above,below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, andcounterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid thereader's understanding of the present disclosure unless indicatedotherwise in the claims, and do not create limitations, particularly asto the position, orientation, or use in this disclosure. Featuresdescribed with respect to one embodiment may be applied to anotherembodiment, whether or not explicitly indicated.

Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined)are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members betweena collection of elements and relative movement between elements unlessotherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarilyinfer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation toeach other. Identification references (e.g., primary, secondary, first,second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to connote importance orpriority, but are used to distinguish one feature from another. Thedrawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions,positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings may vary.

The present disclosure features a covering for controlling thetransmission of light through an architectural feature, which mayinclude window openings, doors, archways and the like. The covering inone embodiment may include a subassembly; the subassembly may beflexible and suitable of rolling up around a roller. The subassembly hasat least a first outer support member, e.g., elongate tape, and a firstinner support member, e.g., elongate tape, the support members each mayhave a first end, a second end, a length extending between the first endand second end, and a lateral width perpendicular to its length. In oneembodiment, the support members are elongate tapes, and the width of atleast one or both of the first inner and first outer elongate tapes aresubstantially less than the length of each slat, and in otherembodiments, the sum of the widths (e.g., the combined width) of all theinner support members or the sum of the widths (e.g., the combinedwidth) of all the outer support members are less than, preferablysubstantially less than, the length of each slat. The subassembly, alsoreferred to as a panel, may include a plurality of slats, each slathaving at least one slat layer with a first end, a second end, an innerlongitudinal edge, an outer longitudinal edge, a length extendingbetween the first end and second end, and a width extending between theinner longitudinal edge and the outer longitudinal edge. The supportmembers and slats are preferable flexible and may be made from anymaterial including fabrics and films. In one embodiment, the vanes aremade from translucent, semi-opaque, and/or opaque materials.

In one embodiment, the plurality of slats may be disposed or extendbetween and spaced apart along the respective lengths of the first outersupport member and first inner support member, and each slat may beoriented with its length transverse to the respective lengths of thefirst outer support member and first inner support member. Movement ofthe inner and outer support members may be configured to manipulate theslats between multiple positions. In one aspect, at least one slat is amultilayered slat having an inner slat layer and an outer slat layer,with the inner slat layer and outer slat layer having inner and outerlongitudinal edges that coincide with the longitudinal edges of themulti-layered slat. The inner layer and outer layer may be coupled alongtheir respective inner and outer longitudinal edges, with the inner andouter slat layers being separable from each other between their coupledlongitudinal edges to form a cell space circumscribed by the inner slatlayer and the outer slat layer when the at least one multilayer slat isin at least one of its multiple positions.

In one embodiment, the width of at least one of the first inner andfirst outer elongate tapes is substantially less than the length of eachslat. In other embodiments, the length of each slat is greater than,preferably substantially greater than, the sum of the widths of all theinner support members, e.g., elongate tapes, or is greater than,preferably substantially greater than, the sum of the widths of all theouter support members, e.g., elongate tapes, and in embodiments, thelength of each slat may be greater than, preferably substantiallygreater than, whichever sum is greater. In a further aspect, the widthof both the first inner and outer elongate tapes are at least 5 timesless than the length of each slat, and in a still further aspect thewidths of first inner elongate tape and first outer elongate tape arefrom about 5 mm to about 100 mm. The width of the elongate tapes isgenerally a function of aesthetics, and may be a function of strengthand thickness of the tapes, and support of the plurality of vanes.

In another embodiment, the width of at least one of the inner and theouter slat layer of the at least one multilayered slat is greater thanthe width of the other of the inner and outer slat layer of that samemultilayered slat. In further embodiments, the inner slat layer andouter slat layer of the at least one multilayered slat are coupled toeach other by ultrasonic cut seal. In one embodiment, a fold line formsalong at least one of the inner longitudinal edges and the outerlongitudinal edges of the inner and outer slat layers of the at leastone slat. The widths of the inner slat layer and the outer slat layer ofthe at least one slat may be as small as about 1 inch and as large asabout 6 inches. The widths of the slat layer may be influenced byaesthetics, size of the covering, and material selection.

The subassembly in another embodiment further includes a second innerelongate tape and a second outer elongate tape, the second innerelongate tape laterally spaced apart from the first inner elongate tapealong the length of at least one of the slats a distance of at leastabout (6) inches, additionally, or alternatively, the second outerelongate tape may be laterally spaced apart from the first outerelongate tape along the length of at least one of the slats a distanceof at least about six (6) inches. The separation distance betweenadjacent elongate tapes may be as low as about six (6) inches to as muchas twenty-four (24) inches, and may vary therebetween in increments ofabout ¼ of an inch. The separation distance of the tapes is influencedby the desired aesthetics, including the support of the vanes betweenthe adjacent tapes.

In yet other embodiments, the first inner elongate tape further has aninner face defined by a surface defined by the length and the width ofthe first inner elongate tape, an outer face defined by a surfacedefined by the length and the width of the first inner elongate tape,the inner face and outer face separated by the thickness of the firstinner elongate tape, and additionally, or alternatively, the first outerelongate tape further has an inner face defined by a surface defined bythe length and the width of the first outer elongate tape, an outer facedefined by a surface defined by the length and the width of the firstouter elongate tape, the inner face and the outer face separated by thethickness of the first outer elongate tape. The inner slat layer in anembodiment may have an inner face defined by a surface defined by thelength and the width of the inner slat layer, and an outer face definedby an opposite surface defined by the length and the width of the innerslat layer, and the outer slat layer may have an inner face defined by asurface defined by the length and the width of the outer slat layer, andan outer face defined by an opposite surface defined by the length andthe width of the outer slat layer, where the inner slat layer and theouter slat layer may be arranged and configured so that the outer faceof the inner slat layer is oriented and faces toward the inner face ofthe outer slat layer and the outer face of the outer slat layer of theat least one multi-layered slat is connected to the inner face of thefirst outer elongate tape, and the inner face of the inner slat layer ofthe at least one multilayered slat is connected to the outer face of thefirst inner elongate tape.

In further embodiments, the inner slat layer of the at least onemultilayered slat further includes an inner edge region extending alongthe inner longitudinal edge of the inner slat layer and defined by thelength of the inner slat layer and a first portion of the width of theinner slat layer, an outer edge region extending along the outerlongitudinal edge of the inner slat layer and defined by the length ofthe inner slat layer and a second portion of the width of the inner slatlayer, and a middle region extending between the inner edge region andthe outer edge region and defined by the length of the inner slat layerand a third portion of the width of the inner slat layer. In one aspect,the outer slat layer of the at least one multilayered slat furtherincludes an inner edge region extending along the inner longitudinaledge of the outer slat layer and defined by the length of the outer slatlayer and a first portion of the width of the outer slayer, an outeredge region extending along the outer longitudinal edge of the outerslat layer and defined by the length of the outer slat layer and asecond portion of the width of the outer slat layer, and a middle regionextending between the inner edge region and the outer edge region anddefined by the length of the outer slat layer and a third portion of thewidth of the outer slat layer that is greater than both the firstportion of the width and the second portion of the width of the outerslat layer. In another aspect, the inner edge region of the inner slatlayer is parallel to the length of the inner elongate tape, and theouter edge region of the outer slat layer is parallel to the length ofthe outer elongate tape. In one embodiment, at least one of the inneredge region and the outer edge region of the inner slat layer and theinner edge region and the outer edge region of the outer slat layer isstiffened by at least one of the group consisting of a stiffening agentand at least one elongate stiffener. Preferably, at least one of theinner edge region of the inner slat layer and the outer edge region ofthe outer slat layer is stiffened by at least one of the groupconsisting of a stiffening agent and at least one elongate stiffener

The subassembly may have an expanded configuration when the innerelongate tape and outer elongate tape move away from and are separatedfrom each other, and in one embodiment the inner elongate tape and outerelongate tape may be laterally separated by a distance about equal tothe diameter of the roller. When the subassembly is in the expandedconfiguration, the middle regions of the inner and outer slat layers maybe substantially horizontal, are transverse to the lengths of the firstinner and first outer elongate tapes, and are separated by a distance toform a space between the outer face of the inner slat layer and theinner face of the outer slat layer that extends the length of themulti-layered slat, the distance between the middle regions of the innerand outer slat layers being greater than the width of a first elongatestiffener.

The covering optionally may further comprise a roller having a first endand a second end, a width extending between the first end and the secondend, a rotational axis, a diameter, and radius of curvature, wherein thefirst end of at least the first outer elongate tape and the first end ofat least the first inner elongate tape are associated with the roller,and rotation of the roller about the rotational axis thereof moves thesubassembly with respect to the roller, and the subassembly may beconfigured to roll-up around the roller.

The subassembly in embodiments may further include one or more (at leasta first) elongate stiffeners having a first end, a second end, a lengthextending between their first ends and the second ends, and a thicknessperpendicular to its length, where the length of the stiffener is atleast 100 times larger than its thickness, and the elongate stiffener isassociated with at least one slat layer and positioned so its lengthextends in the direction of the longitudinal edge of that slat layer.The elongate stiffeners may be formed of plastic material. Inembodiments, the thickness of the first elongate stiffener is as smallas about 6 thousandths of an inch to as large as about 30 thousandths ofan inch, and may vary there between in increments of a thousandth of aninch, and the width of the first elongate stiffener is as small as about3/16 of an inch to as large as about 1 inch and may vary therebetween inincrements of 1/32 of an inch. In embodiments, the inner slat layer andthe outer slat layer of the at least one multilayered slat is formed oftranslucent materials, and the first elongate stiffener is formed of amaterial more transparent than the translucent materials of at least oneof the inner and outer slat layers. In other aspects, multiple elongatestiffeners are associated with one or more of the multilayered slats andpositioned so the length of the stiffener is in the direction of thelongitudinal edge of the slat layers.

One or more of the elongate stiffeners may include a first side, asecond side, and a width extending between the first side and the secondside and perpendicular to its length; and a first surface defined by thelength and the width of the elongate stiffener, and a second surfacedefined by the length and the width of the elongate stiffener, the firstsurface and second surface separated by the thickness of the elongatestiffener; and where the width of the stiffener is at least 5 timeslarger than its thickness, and the stiffener is associated with the atleast one multilayered slat along and in the direction of thelongitudinal edge of at least one of the slat layers. The first elongatestiffener may be an angled stiffener having a crease extending betweenthe first end and second end of the first elongate stiffener, a firstface defined by a portion of the first surface between the first sideand the crease, a second face defined by a portion of the first surfacebetween the second side and the crease, a third face defined by aportion of the second surface between the first side and the crease, afourth face defined by a portion of the second surface between thesecond side and the crease, and an angle between the first face and thesecond face of less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the crease ofthe first elongate angled stiffener has a peak or apex on the secondsurface, and the first elongate angled stiffener has a crown heightextending between the peak or apex of the crease and a longitudinal edgeof the first elongate angled stiffener between the first surface and atleast one side of the first elongate angled stiffener, where the crownheight is from as low as about 20 thousandths of an inch to as high asabout 100 thousandths of an inch. The crown height may vary therebetweenin increments of about five (5) thousandths of an inch.

In further embodiments, the subassembly moves from a collapsedconfiguration to an expanded configuration when the first inner elongatetape and first outer elongate tape move away from each other such thatthe inner elongate tape and outer elongate tape are separated by adistance greater than the width of the first elongate stiffener, andwhen the subassembly is in the expanded configuration the inner slatlayer has a curved shape.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the fourth face of the firstangled stiffener is attached to the inner slat layer of the at least onemultilayered slat and the third face is not attached to either slatlayer. Alternatively, at least a portion of the second face of the firstangled stiffener is attached to the inner slat layer of the at least onemultilayered slat and the second face is not attached to either slatlayer.

The subassembly in an embodiment may have more than one elongatestiffener and the second elongate stiffener may be associated with theat least one multi-layered slat and is positioned so that its lengthextends in the direction of the longitudinal edges of the slat layers.The second elongate stiffener has a first side, a second side, a widthextending between the first side and the second side and perpendicularto its length, a first surface defined by the length and the width ofthe second elongate stiffener, and a second surface defined by thelength and the width of the second elongate stiffener, the first surfaceand second surface separated by the thickness of the second elongatestiffener. The width of the second elongate stiffener may be at least 5times larger than its thickness. The second elongate stiffener in anembodiment is an angled stiffener having a crease extending between thefirst end and second end of the second elongate stiffener, a first faceof the first surface extending between the first side and the crease, asecond face of the first surface extending between the second side andthe crease, an angle between the first face and the second face of lessthan 180 degrees (more preferably as low as about 120 degrees and ashigh as about 170 degrees, and may vary therebetween in increments offive (5) degrees), a third face of the second surface extending betweenthe first side and the crease, and a fourth face of the second surfaceextending between the second side and the crease. In some embodiments,at least a portion of the third face of the second angled elongatestiffener is attached to the outer slat layer of the at least one slatand the fourth face of the second elongated stiffener is not attached tothe outer slat layer.

In yet further embodiments, the at least one slat further includes atleast a first stiffener pocket sheet having a first end, a second end, afirst longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a length extendingbetween the first end and the second end, and a width extending betweenthe first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge, where thefirst stiffener pocket sheet is coupled to at least one slat layer ofthe at least one multi-layered slat and forms at least a first stiffenerpocket between that slat layer and the first stiffener pocket sheet, andat least a portion of the first elongate stiffener is positioned withinthe first stiffener pocket. The first stiffener pocket sheet in oneembodiment is formed of a substantially transparent material, which inan embodiment may be polyethylene.

The first stiffener pocket sheet may be coupled to the inner slat layerof the at least one multilayered slat or alternatively may be coupled tothe outer slat layer of the at least one multilayered slat. The firststiffener pocket sheet may include a fold line extending between thefirst end and the second end, and a contact area between the fold lineand the first longitudinal edge of the first stiffener pocket sheet,where the contact area of the first stiffener pocket sheet is coupled tothe inner slat layer of the at least one multilayered slat with theinner longitudinal edge of the inner slat layer closer to the firstlongitudinal edge of the first stiffener pocket sheet than the fold lineof the first stiffener pocket sheet.

In some embodiments, the first elongate stiffener which is at leastpartially positioned within the first stiffener pocket includes a firstside, a second side, and a width extending between the first side andthe second side and perpendicular to its length, a crease extendingbetween the first end and second end of the elongate stiffener, a firstface defined by a portion of the first surface between the first sideand the crease, a second face defined by a portion of the first surfacebetween the second side and the crease, and an angle between the firstface and the second face of less than 180 degrees. The first elongatedstiffener may be positioned so that the angle of the first elongatestiffener is oriented towards the first stiffener pocket sheet, oralternatively, the first elongated stiffener may be positioned so thatthe angle of the first elongate stiffener is oriented towards the innerslat layer of the at least one multi-layered slat. The first stiffenerpocket sheet in embodiments may further include a fold line extendingbetween the first end and the second end of the first stiffener pocketsheet; and an overlap area between the fold line and the secondlongitudinal edge of the first stiffener pocket sheet, where the overlaparea of the first stiffener pocket sheet is attached to the outer slatlayer of the at least one multilayered slat with the outer longitudinaledge of the outer slat layer closer to the second longitudinal edge ofthe first stiffener pocket sheet than the fold line of the firststiffener pocket sheet, and forming a stiffener pocket between the innerslat layer and the first stiffener pocket sheet. The elongate stiffenermay be positioned so that the angle of the first stiffener within thestiffener pocket is oriented towards the stiffener pocket sheet.

In yet another embodiment, a covering for controlling transmission oflight through an architectural opening is featured that includes asubassembly, the subassembly including: at least a first outer elongatetape having a first end, a second end, a length extending between thefirst end and second end, and a lateral width perpendicular to itslength; at least a first inner elongate tape having a first end, asecond end, a length extending between the first end and second end, anda lateral width perpendicular to its length; a plurality of slats, eachslat having a first end, a second end, an inner longitudinal edge, anouter longitudinal edge, a length extending between the first end andsecond end and, a width extending between the inner longitudinal edgeand the outer longitudinal edge, the plurality of slats disposed betweenand spaced apart along the respective lengths of the first outerelongate tape and first inner elongate tape, each slat oriented with itslength transverse to the respective lengths of the first outer elongatetape and first inner elongate tape, movement of the inner and the outerelongate tapes configured to manipulate the slats between multiplepositions; and a plurality of relatively thin elongate stiffeners, eachelongate stiffener having a first end, a second end, a first side, asecond side, a length extending between the first end and the secondend, and a width extending between the first side and the second side;where at least one of the plurality of slats is a multilayered slathaving an inner slat layer, an outer slat layer, and multiple elongatestiffeners; where the inner slat layer having an inner face defined by asurface defined by the length and the width of the inner slat layer, andan outer face defined by an opposite surface defined by the length andthe width of the inner slat layer; the outer slat layer having an innerface defined by a surface defined by the length and the width of theouter slat layer, and an outer face defined by an opposite surfacedefined by the length and the width of the outer slat layer; the innerslat layer and the outer slat layer each configured and connected to theother along their respective inner and outer longitudinal edges with theouter face of the inner slat layer and the inner face of the outer slatoriented and facing towards each other; the inner slat layer and outerslat layer arranged and configured to be separable in regions betweentheir inner and outer longitudinal edges to form a space between theouter face of the inner slat layer and the inner face of the outer slatlayer that extends the length of the multilayered slat when themultilayered slat is in at least one of the multiple positions; a firstelongate stiffener is associated with and positioned so the length ofthe first elongate stiffener extends in the direction of thelongitudinal edges of the inner slat layer, and a second elongatestiffener is associated with and positioned so the length of the secondelongate stiffener extends in the direction of the longitudinal edges ofthe outer slat layer; and the inner slat layer of the at least onemultilayered slat is attached to the first inner elongate tape, and theouter slat layer of that multilayered slat is attached to the firstouter elongate tape.

In still further embodiments, a covering for controlling transmission oflight through an architectural feature is disclosed, the coveringincluding a subassembly, where the subassembly has at least a firstouter elongate tape having a first end, a second end, a length extendingbetween the first end and second end, and a lateral width perpendicularto its length; at least a first inner elongate tape having a first end,a second end, a length extending between the first end and second end,and a lateral width perpendicular to its length; a plurality of slats,each slat having a first end, a second end, an inner longitudinal edge,an outer longitudinal edge, a length extending between the first end andsecond end and, a width extending between the inner longitudinal edgeand the outer longitudinal edge, the plurality of slats disposed betweenand spaced apart along the respective lengths of the first outerelongate tape and first inner elongate tape, each slat oriented with itslength transverse to the respective lengths of the first outer elongatetape and first inner elongate tape, movement of the inner and the outerelongate tapes configured to manipulate the slats between multiplepositions; and at least a first relatively thin elongate stiffener. Theelongate stiffener in one embodiment having a first end, a second end, afirst side, a second side, a length extending between the first end andthe second end, and a width extending between the first side and thesecond side, where at least one of the plurality of slats is amultilayered slat and the multilayered slat includes an inner slatlayer, an outer slat layer, and at least a first stiffener pocket sheet;the inner slat layer having an inner face defined by a surface definedby the length and the width of the inner slat layer, and an outer facedefined by an opposite surface defined by the length and the width ofthe inner slat layer; the outer slat layer having an inner face definedby a surface defined by the length and the width of the outer slatlayer, and an outer face defined by an opposite surface defined by thelength and the width of the outer slat layer; the inner slat layer andthe outer slat layer each configured and connected to the other with theouter face of the inner slat layer and the inner face of the outer slatoriented and facing towards each other; the first stiffener pocket sheethaving a first end, a second end, a first longitudinal edge, a secondlongitudinal edge, a length extending between the first end and thesecond end, and a width extending between the first longitudinal edgeand the second longitudinal edge; the first stiffener pocket sheetconnected to at least one of the inner and outer slat layers and formingat least a first stiffener pocket between at least one of the inner andouter slat layers and the stiffener pocket sheet; and the inner slatlayer and the outer slat layer arranged and configured to be separablein regions between their inner and outer longitudinal edges to form aspace between the outer face of the inner slat layer and the inner faceof the outer slat layer that extends the length of the multilayered slatwhen the multilayered slat is in at least one of the multiple positions,and further where at least a portion of the first relatively thinelongate stiffener is positioned within the first stiffener pocket.

In some embodiments, a covering for controlling the transmission oflight through an architectural feature is disclosed, the covering havinga flexible subassembly, the subassembly including at least a first outerflexible elongate tape having a first end, a second end, a lengthextending between the first end and second end, and a lateral widthperpendicular to its length; at least a first inner flexible elongatetape having a first end, a second end, a length extending between thefirst end and second end, and a lateral width perpendicular to itslength; a plurality of flexible multilayered slats, each multilayeredslat having at least one slat layer with a first end, a second end, aninner longitudinal edge, an outer longitudinal edge, a length extendingbetween the first end and second end, and a width extending between theinner longitudinal edge and the outer longitudinal edge, the pluralityof multilayered slats disposed between and spaced apart along therespective lengths of the first outer elongate tape and first innerelongate tape, each slat oriented with its length transverse to therespective lengths of the first outer elongate tape and first innerelongate tape, movement of the inner and the outer elongate tapesconfigured to manipulate the slats between multiple positions; and atleast a first elongate stiffener having a first end, a second end, alength extending between the first end and the second end, and athickness perpendicular to its length, the length of the stiffener beingat least 5 times greater than its thickness, the at least one elongatestiffener associated with at least one slat layer and positioned so thelength of the stiffener extends in the direction of the longitudinaledges of that slat layer; where the at least one slat layer is formed ofa translucent material, and the at least one elongate stiffener isformed of a plastic, transparent material.

General Operation of the Covering

The present disclosure relates to coverings for architectural feature,which include, for example, window openings, doorframes, archways, andthe like. The coverings are particularly useful for windows to providean aesthetic look, and desirable shading and privacy. The coveringsgenerally comprise a flexible light controlling subassembly or panelthat may include one or more generally horizontal vane elements coupledto generally vertical front and rear support members or elements. Forease of reference purposes, when used, for example, as a windowcovering, the generally vertical support member that faces the exteriorof the window opening or is on the exterior or rear side 165 of thewindow covering is referred to as the “rear” or “back” support member,element or tape, while the support member that faces the interior of theopening or is on the interior or front side 175 of the window coveringis referred to as the “front” support member, element, or tape.

The generally horizontal vane elements, also referred to as slats orvanes herein, preferably have a different light transmissivity ortranslucence than the generally vertical support elements, and the vaneand support elements together control view-through and lighttransmission through the covering. That is the vane elements generallytend to be translucent, semi-opaque, opaque, or blackout, which mayinhibit or block light and/or view-through. The tapes may betransparent, translucent, semi-opaque, opaque, or blackout materials. Inone embodiment, the front and rear support elements are elongate tapesand the vane elements are translucent, semi-opaque, opaque, or blackoutmaterials so when the vanes are moved, e.g., pivoted, between open andclosed positions, the light transmissivity of the covering may bevaried.

The shape and angular orientation of the vanes can be controlled bymoving the vertical support elements laterally and vertically withrespect to each other. In particular, the vane elements can be adjusted,for example, rotated or pivoted, between different angular orientationsfrom extending generally horizontal and substantially perpendicular tothe vertical support elements permit light and view-through, toextending generally vertical and substantially parallel to the verticalsupport elements in order to inhibit or block light and view-through,and thus provide and control light and view-through, or shading effectand/or privacy to the area.

The generally vertical support elements may include, for example, tapes,strips, sheets, panels, or the like, and combinations of these elements.Each vertical support element may be formed of a single or multiplepiece(s) of material. The support elements may be relatively thin andhave length (height) and width. The vertical support elements in certainembodiments are generally and typically much thinner than their lengthor width, and their width is generally and typically much smaller thantheir length. The length of the vertical support elements generally andtypically corresponds to and is associated with the height or verticaldimension of the covering or panel, while the width of the verticalsupport elements generally and in the embodiments disclosed hereintypically is much smaller than the width of the covering or panel (andthe length of the vanes). For ease of reference, and without intent tolimit the disclosure or claims, the vertical support elements sometimeswill be referred to in the disclosure as elongate tapes.

The vane elements may be formed from and include, for example, strips,tapes, panels, and the like. Each vane element may be formed from asingle or multiple piece(s) of material, e.g., strips, tapes, or panels.The vane elements may be formed of materials that are relatively thinand generally much thinner than their length and/or width. Preferably,but not necessarily, the vane elements have a length that is larger thanits width. The length of the vane elements generally corresponds to thewidth of the covering. For ease of reference, the vane elementssometimes will be referred to in the disclosure as slats or vanes.

The front and rear vertical support elements, and the vane elements, maybe substantially any type of material, and are preferably formed fromflexible materials, such as, but not limited to, textiles, fabrics, andfilms, including knits, wovens, non-wovens, and so on. For ease ofreference, the subassembly or combination of vertical support elementsand vanes sometimes will be referred to as a light-controlling panel,subassembly, or “panel” for short. In one exemplary embodiment, thegenerally horizontal vane elements are made from generally flexible,soft materials, and the generally vertical support elements are alsomade from generally flexible, soft materials, and together form agenerally flexible subassembly or panel for the covering. Inembodiments, the vertical support elements and/or vanes may be formed ofrelatively stiff or rigid materials interconnected together to formflexible vertical support elements and/or vanes.

Referring generally to FIG. 1, the covering 100 generally includes aheadrail 190, a roller 150 associated with the head rail, alight-controlling panel 180, a bottom rail or weight 160, and amechanism 170 to operate the covering (e.g., a mechanism to rotate theroller) and control the amount, quality, and manner in which light isblocked or transmitted through the panel, as well as the aesthetic lookand appearance of the panel. The roller 150, also sometimes referred toas a head tube or roller tube, may be associated with and/or connectedto a headrail 190, and a movement mechanism 170 is preferably associatedwith and connected to the roller 150. The roller 150 supports and isconnected, directly or indirectly, to a top end of panel 180, and bottomrail 160 is connected, directly or indirectly, to a bottom end of thepanel 180. Movement of the roller 150, for example rotation, may roll-upor unroll the subassembly 180 from the roller 150.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the roller 150 has a rotationalaxis “R” about which the roller rotates, a width “W” between a first end151 and a second end 152, a diameter “D”, and a radius of curvature “r”.In one embodiment, the diameter of the roller may be as low as about 0.5inches to as large as 3 inches, and preferably may be about 1.5 inches.Preferably, the subassembly 180 is connected to the roller 150 via atleast one elongate tape 102. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, thefirst or top ends 245 of one or more of the inner elongate tapes 210 areassociated with, preferably coupled to, the roller 250 such that thelongitudinal axes X1 of the inner elongate tape(s) are orientedgenerally orthogonally with respect to the rotational axis “R” of theroller 150. In further embodiments, the first or top ends 255 of one ormore outer elongate tapes 220 may also be associated with, preferablycoupled to, the roller 250 such that the longitudinal axes X2 of theouter elongate tape(s) 220 are oriented generally orthogonally withrespect to the central rotational axis “R” of the roller 250. Asreferenced herein, the “inner” features and structures of the panel orcovering are those that are located radially inward from the “outer”features when the panel is rolled up around the roller, such that, forexample, an “inner” elongate tape is located radially inward from theoutward or “outer” elongate tape when the subassembly is rolled uparound the roller. The tape(s) may be coupled directly or indirectly tothe roller by an adhesive, such as glue, stitching, an insert, and/orother methods of attachment including methods now known and methodsdeveloped in the future. Rotation of the roller facilitates deploying,expanding, collapsing, and rolling-up the subassembly to control thelight transmitted through the architectural covering and thearchitectural feature as described below.

Head rail 190 as shown in FIG. 1 may support the roller 150 and panel180 over an architectural feature and thus may generally correspond tothe shape and dimensions (e.g., width) of the top of the architecturalfeature. In one embodiment, a headrail 190 may be associated with theroller 150 preferably to permit and to facilitate rotation of the roller150. The roller 150 may be rotatably connected, directly or indirectly,to the headrail 190 by methods now known or methods developed in thefuture. The headrail 190 typically houses the roller 150 and at least aportion of the roller 150 may be mounted within the headrail 190. Theheadrail 190 may be a decorative piece or assembly, which may hide theroller 150, and may hide the roller 150 and the entire subassembly 180from plain view when the subassembly 180 is in the fully rolled-upconfiguration. The headrail may also hide or make less visible anybrackets used for mounting the covering 100. The headrail may also hidethe gap between the roller 150 and/or the roller in combination with therolled-up flexible, light controlling subassembly on the one hand, andthe structure of the architectural feature on the other hand. Theheadrail may be configured such that any gap between the roller and thearchitectural feature is hidden by at least a portion of the headrail inorder to block any light that may otherwise pass through such a gap.

A bottom rail or weight 160 may be associated with and/or coupleddirectly or indirectly to bottom end 178 of the subassembly 180. Thebottom rail provides weight to the bottom of the architectural covering,and, in so doing, applies tension to the subassembly to keep thesubassembly substantially taut while the subassembly is partially orfully unrolled from the roller, which facilitates deployment androlling-up of the subassembly while also acting to restrict the rollerfrom being over rotated when the subassembly is being rolled-up.

Bottom rail 160 may have a first end 161, a second end 162, a length 163defined between first end 161 and second end 162, and a widthperpendicular to the length 163. In some embodiments, the bottom railmay be cylindrical (FIG. 1), and in other embodiments, the bottom railmay be rectangular (FIG. 2) and/or curved, but additional sizes, shapes,configurations, and constructions are contemplated. Bottom rail 160 maybe associated with and/or coupled, directly or indirectly, to the secondor bottom end of one or more inner elongate tapes, or may be associatedwith and/or coupled, directly or indirectly, to the second or bottom endof one or more outer elongate tapes, and may in embodiments be coupled,directly or indirectly, to one or more inner elongate tapes and one ormore outer elongate tapes. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1,bottom rail 160 is coupled, directly or indirectly, to the second ends112, 112′ of inner elongate tapes 110, 110′. Alternatively, bottom rail160 may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to vane 130. In someembodiments, bottom rail 160 is coupled, directly or indirectly, to aportion, or the entirety, of one or more longitudinal edges of one ormore vanes. The bottom rail may be coupled, directly or indirectly, tothe inner longitudinal edge of the bottom most vane, and may be coupled,directly or indirectly, to the lowermost point where the vane iscoupled, directly or indirectly, to the elongate tapes, preferably tothe inner elongate tapes. The bottom rail may be coupled, directly orindirectly, to the subassembly, or a portion of the subassembly (e.g.,the inner elongate tapes), by an adhesive such as glue, stitching, aninsert, tacking, stapling, pinning, and/or other methods of attachmentincluding methods now known and methods developed in the future. Thebottom rail may be configured and coupled, directly or indirectly, tothe panel in a manner similar to the bottom rail shown and described inU.S. Patent application No. 62/414,248, entitled “Covering forArchitectural Features, Related Systems and Methods of Manufacture”,which was filed on Oct. 28, 2016, and which application is incorporatedby reference in its entirety herein.

Movement mechanism 170 is preferably associated with subassembly 180 toadjust the position and configuration of the subassembly 180. Movementmechanism 170 also may be associated with and/or connected with headrail190, and may also be at least partially housed in and/or mounted inheadrail 190. Movement mechanism 170 controls the retraction andextension of light-controlling panel 180 to control the height of thecovering in the opening and hence the nature and quality of the lighttransmitted through, the view-through characteristics, and the shape andaesthetic appeal of the panel 180. Movement or control mechanism 170 mayalso control the angular orientation of horizontal vane elements 130with respect to inner and outer elongate tapes 110, 120 that also mayaffect the nature and quality of the light transmitted through, theview-through characteristics, and the shape and aesthetic appeal ofpanel 180.

It will be appreciated that the following description of the movementmechanism and the retraction and extension of the illustratedsubassembly 180 is provided with reference to use of a roller tofacilitate retraction and extension of subassembly 180. However, otherarrangements known to those of ordinary skill in the art, for example,stacking or other folding arrangements may instead be used to controlmovement of the light-controlling panel without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present disclosure, as the particular movement ormechanism is not critical to aspects of the disclosure. Rotation of theroller can be achieved by utilizing any desired movement mechanism,including those now known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such asa pull chain or cord for rotating the roller (as shown in FIG. 1 as170), a tethered wand, a pulley, a direct-drive arrangement, a geartrain, a clutch mechanism, a pumping mechanism, a powered mechanism,and/or a control device in wireless communication with a poweredmechanism and those movement mechanisms to be developed in the future.Movement mechanism 170 for controlling the rotation of roller 150 mayinclude an electric motor, which may be controlled manually by a user,or through a pre-programmed or programmable software control unit, suchas a remote control.

The movement mechanism may rotate the roller in order to retract,extend, or angularly orient the vanes of the light-controlling panel. Asshown in FIGS. 3A-3E, rotation of the roller 350 in a first direction(indicated by the arrow in FIGS. 3A-3E) causes the light controllingsubassembly 380 to unroll from the roller 350, and rotation of theroller 350 in a second direction opposite the first direction causes thesubassembly 380 to roll-up around the roller 350.

The light-controlling panel generally moves between (1) a fullyretracted position where the panel is completely wrapped about theroller (FIG. 3A), (2) to a fully extended position where the panel iscompletely unwound from the roller and generally extends in the openingwith the vertical support elements generally parallel and adjacent toeach other with the vanes located and extending between the supportelements and oriented substantially vertical and generally parallel tothe vertical support elements (FIG. 3C), (3) to a fully extended, fullyexpanded position where the middle portion of the vanes extend between,are generally traverse to, spaced apart along the lengths of, andpreferably substantially horizontal to the vertical support elements(FIG. 3E). Further configurations of the illustrated embodiment includea partially-unrolled, collapsed configuration (FIG. 3B), and afully-unrolled extended, partially-expanded configuration (FIG. 3D).

In particular, the angular orientation and movement of the vanes in aroll-up type window covering comprised of vanes extending horizontallybetween vertical support tapes is effected by relative movement of thefront and rear tapes. Subassembly 380 of FIGS. 3A-C is unrolled byrotation of roller 350 in a first direction (indicated by the arrow inFIGS. 3A-C), where the front and rear tapes 310, 330 move vertically inunison which lowers subassembly 380 from a fully rolled-up retractedconfiguration (FIG. 3A), to a fully-unrolled, collapsed configuration(FIG. 3C) where subassembly 380 extends in the window opening.

After the window covering is fully extended and unrolled from roller 350(shown in FIG. 3C), movement of front tape 310 and/or rear tape 320laterally or horizontally away from each other such as upon furtherrotation of roller 350 in a first direction as shown by the arrow inFIG. 3C increases the separation of tapes 310, 320, and further movesfront and rear tapes 310, 320 in vertically opposite directions (shownin FIGS. 3D-E as 307), and expands flexible subassembly 380. Thisvertically opposite directional movement 307 of front and rear tapes310, 320 relative to each other pivots or rotates vanes 330 betweentapes 310, 320. The relative vertical motion 307 of the tapes can be anycombination of vertical motion by one or more of front tapes 310 andback tapes 320 relative to each other. This pivoting or rotationalmovement of vanes 330 changes the angular orientation of vanes 330relative to front and rear tapes 310, 320 and, with other factors, maycontrol the shape of vanes 330. Relative movement of the tapes such asupon rotation of roller 350 in a direction opposite the first direction(opposite the arrow in FIG. 3) causes subassembly 380 to collapse, andfurther rotation of roller 350 will roll up subassembly 380 aroundroller 350.

The vanes of the window covering may be oriented in different angularorientations or directions and are operable to move in differentdirections and orientations to affect the amount of light transmittedthrough the panel and/or the visibility through the covering. In a firstorientation, referred to as the shading orientation, and shown in FIGS.1 and 4A-D, top ends 113 of vanes 130 are associated with, and/orcoupled, directly or indirectly, to front tapes 120 and are operable toextend between positions where the middle portion of vanes 130 extendtraverse to and generally horizontal toward rear tapes 110 (shown inFIGS. 1, 4C) and/or extend from front tapes 120 downwards towards reartapes 110 (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B). Generally, in a shadingorientation the end of the vane that is associated with, preferablycoupled, directly or indirectly, to the rear tapes is at the same heightor lower than the end of the vane coupled, directly or indirectly, tothe front tapes. As such, in the shading orientation, depending upon theangular orientation of vanes 130, light entering covering through therear side 165 may encounter vane elements 130, which depending upon theopacity of the vane material, may block or diffuse light that passesthrough the covering 100 as shown in FIG. 4D.

In a second orientation, referred to as the privacy orientation andshown in FIGS. 2 and 3A-E, top ends 253, 353 of vanes 230, 330 extendfrom, and may be coupled directly or indirectly to, rear tapes 220, 320and vanes 230, 330 are operable to extend between positions where themiddle portion of vanes 230 extend generally horizontal toward fronttapes 210 (shown in FIG. 2), and/or extend from rear tapes 320 downwardtowards the front tapes 310 (shown in FIG. 3B-3D). Generally, in aprivacy orientation the end of the vane that is coupled, directly orindirectly, to the front tapes is at the same height or lower than theend of the vane coupled, directly or indirectly, to the rear tapes. Inthis privacy orientation, light 195 entering the covering through theexterior side 165 from a light source (the sun) may be transmittedthrough the gaps or spaces 324 between vanes 330 (shown in FIG. 3E). Inthe privacy orientation, a person under the window and looking up may beblocked from viewing into the room due to vanes 230, 330 blocking theirview-through, such as shown with vanes 330 in the position shown in FIG.3D.

One skilled in the art can also appreciate that the light-controllingand view-through characteristics including the angular orientation andrelative movement of the vanes in a roll-up type covering, will beaffected by whether the tapes extend from a rear side 115 of the rolleror a front side 119 of the roller and/or the direction of rotation ofthe roller. If the window covering rolls up and down from front side 119of roller 150 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A-D, then when tapes 110, 120 arefirst retracted from a fully extended position, front tapes 120 will beraised vertically upward as rear tapes 110 lower and move laterallytoward front tapes 120 (compare FIGS. 4C, 4B, 4A). This relativemovement of front and rear tapes 120, 110 rotates or pivots vanes 130 tochange their angular orientation relative to front and rear tapes 120,110 so that vanes 130 extend downward from front tape 120 toward reartape 110 and are in a shading orientation as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.If the window shading, however, rolls up-and-down from rear side 115 ofthe roller as shown in FIGS. 2, 3A-E, then when the tapes are firstretracted from a fully extended and expanded position, rear tapes 220,320 will be raised vertically upward as front tapes 210, 310 lower andmove laterally toward rear tapes 220, 320. This movement of the frontand rear tapes rotates or pivots the vanes to change their angularorientation relative to front and rear tapes 210, 310 so that the vanesextend downward from rear tapes 220, 320 towards front tapes 210, 310and are in the privacy orientation as shown in FIGS. 2, 3C-D.Accordingly, the direction of roll-up about the roller, whetherclockwise or counter-clockwise and/or around the front side or rear sideof the roller, at least influences whether the covering operates in ashading or privacy orientation.

Overview of the Subassembly

Subassembly 180 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 preferablyincludes one or more tapes 102, including one or more inner elongatetapes 110, 110′, etc. (generally, inner elongate tapes 110), one or moreouter elongate tapes 120, 120′, etc. (generally, outer elongate tapes120), a plurality of vanes 130, 130′, etc. (generally, vanes 130), and aplurality of optional stiffeners 140, 140″, etc. (generally, stiffeners140). It will be appreciated that the subassembly 180 may include moreor fewer inner elongate tapes 110, outer elongate tapes 120, vanes 130,and or stiffeners 140 than shown. Subassembly 180 is connected to roller150 (when present) by first ends 111, 111′ of inner elongate tapes 110,110′, and first ends 121, 121′, of outer elongate tapes 120, 120′.Bottom rail 160 is connected to subassembly 180 by at least one ofsecond ends 112, 112′ of inner elongate tapes 110, 110′.

The tapes and vanes preferably are formed of relatively flexiblematerial, while stiffeners 140 preferably are relatively rigid comparedto the vanes as in embodiments they form a connecting element or bridgeto support the flexible vane material between the tapes to inhibit orprevent sagging, or excessive sagging of the vanes between the tapes. Itwill be appreciated that stiffeners 140 may also be flexible, in thesense that they may be bendable without breaking, but have sufficientstructural integrity and/or rigidity to support vanes 130 with minimal,if any, sagging of vanes 130.

Construction of the Support Members

The subassembly may include one or more support members, each supportmember having a first end, and a second end defining a support memberlength there between, a support member width perpendicular to itslength, and a support member thickness perpendicular to its length andthe width. The one or more support members each have a longitudinal axis“X” extending in the direction of the length of the respective supportmember. Each support member has an inner face, and an outer facepreferably opposite to the inner face, each face defined by the surfacesdefined by the width and the length of the respective support member,and separated by the thickness of the respective support member. In oneenhancement, one or more of the support members may be elongate tapes.

More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 2, subassembly 280 includesone or more outer elongate tapes 220 having a length 225 between firstend 255 and second end 256, a longitudinal axis “X2” preferablycentrally located, a width 226 perpendicular to the length 225 (andpreferably when associated with the roller extending in a directionparallel to rotational axis “R”), and a thickness 227 extending in adirection perpendicular to both the length and the width of outerelongate tape 220. First outer elongate tape 220 has an outer face 224(not visible in FIG. 2) and an inner face 223 preferably opposite to theouter face, each inner and outer face 223, 224 defined by a surfacedefined by length 225 and width 226 of first outer elongate tape 220,and separated by thickness 227 of first outer elongate tape 220.Subassembly 280 further includes one or more inner elongate tapes 210,having a length of 215 between first end 245 and second end 246, alongitudinal axis X1 preferably centrally located, a width 216perpendicular to length 215 (and preferably when associated with theroller extending in a direction parallel to rotational axis “R”), and athickness 217 extending in a direction perpendicular to both the lengthand width of the inner elongate tape 210. Inner elongate tape 210 has anouter face 214 (not visible in FIG. 2) and an inner face 213, each innerand outer face 213, 214 defined by a surface defined by the length andwidth of first inner elongate tape 210, and separated by thickness 217of first inner elongate tape 210.

Subassembly 280 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 further includes a secondouter elongate tape 220′ and a second inner elongate tape 210′ havinglengths, widths, longitudinal axes, inner faces and outer faces asdescribed above for first inner elongate tape 210 and outer elongatetape 220.

In addition, it should be appreciated that any number of elongate tapesmay be included in embodiments of an architectural covering and thenumber of inner elongate tapes may be equal to or different from thenumber of outer elongate tapes. Various numbers of elongate tapes may beutilized depending upon the functional and aesthetic characteristicsdesired. For example, in one such embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2,a third inner elongate tape 210″ and a third outer elongate tape 220″are provided between the first and second inner and outer elongatetapes. The first and second inner and outer elongate tapes illustratedin FIG. 2 are located at, proximate of, or adjacent to the ends of thevanes, and a third outer tape, a third inner tape, or both a third innerand third outer tape may exist between, for example equidistant between,the inner and outer tapes. In an alternative embodiment, a third outerelongate tape exists between, for example equidistant between, the firstand second outer elongate tapes, but no third inner elongate tape isutilized, such that there are three outer elongate tapes and two innerelongate tapes. Other arrangements of outer and inner elongate tapes maybe used in the subassembly.

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the inner elongate tapes 110and outer elongate tape 120 may be aligned laterally with each otheralong the width of the subassembly 180, such that they lay on top ofeach other when the subassembly 180 is rolled around the roller. In analternative embodiment (not shown), one or more of the inner elongatetapes and one or more of the outer elongate tapes may be laterallydisplaced from each other along the width of the subassembly such thatthey are not aligned with each other, and as such do not roll on top ofeach other when the subassembly is rolled around the roller. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first outer elongate tape may besubstantially parallel with the first inner elongate tape along thelengths of the tapes when the subassembly is in, and moving between, thevarious configurations. Preferably, the faces of the first innerelongate tapes are parallel to the faces of the first outer elongatetapes. More preferably, the outer face of an inner elongate tape and theinner face of an outer elongate tape face in opposite directions, morepreferably towards each other. In alternative embodiments, the tapes canbe configured not to have parallel faces along at least a portion of thelengths of the tapes.

When subassembly 380 is rolled around roller 350 (as illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3B), the length of inner tape 310, in order to make a completerevolution about roller 350 (circumscribe the roller), is less than thelength of outer tape 320. To accommodate these different lengths ofinner tapes 310 and outer tapes 320 when the subassembly rotates aboutroller 350, inner tapes 310 may buckle, and in some circumstances theinner tapes may overlap themselves. In one embodiment, inner tapes 310may effectively fold upon themselves at one or more hinge segment(s) orline(s). For example, in one embodiment, one or more inner elongatetapes may define a plurality of collapsible hinge segments disposedalong the length of the inner elongate tape. In some implementations,each hinge segment can be defined by one or more spaced apart creaselines extending along the width of the inner elongate tape. In someembodiments, the hinge segments can be performed into the inner elongatetape. For example, the inner tapes can be processed to be creased andheat set to form a preferential fold line. The buckling, overlapping,and/or folding of the inner tape may occur in order to shorten thelength of inner tapes 310 when rolled up to compensate for being locatedradially inward from outer tapes 320, and permit subassembly 380 to rollup neater and more uniformly around roller 350. As such, the inner tapesmay be configured to buckle, overlap, and/or fold along their lengths inorder to decrease the length of the inner elongate tapes to a shortened“effective length” when the inner elongate tapes are rolled up aroundthe roller. The inner tapes are further configured to unbuckle, and/orunfold in order to return the inner elongate tapes to their full lengthwhen the roll-up covering is unrolled from the roller. This buckling,folding and/or collapsible hinge segments results in the outer tape andthe inner tape having the same, or substantially the same geometriclength when the subassembly is unrolled, and at the same timeeffectively have different lengths when the subassembly is rolled up,thus permitting the roll-up covering to roll up more neatly andreliably.

The lateral spacing along the width of the subassembly between adjacentinner elongate tapes and/or adjacent outer elongate tapes may be varieddepending upon the functional and aesthetic characteristics desired. Inparticular, if first and second inner elongate tapes are used, and firstand second outer elongate tapes are used, the lateral spacing betweenthe inner elongate tapes along the width of the subassembly may be setat any desired distance and the spacing between the outer elongate tapesalong the width of the subassembly may be set at any desired distance,which may be equivalent distances or different distances.

As described, it should be understood that the lateral spacing (e.g.,distance) between a pair of adjacent tapes along the width of thesubassembly may be different from the spacing between another pair ofadjacent tapes along the width of the subassembly. Preferably, thedistance between a first inner elongate tape 110 and an adjacent secondinner elongate tape 110′, and/or the distance between a first outerelongate tape 120 and an adjacent second outer elongate tape 120′ may begreater than 6 inches. More preferably, the distance between a firstinner or outer elongate tape and a corresponding adjacent second inneror outer elongate tape is greater than 9 inches, greater than 12 inches,preferably greater than 18 inches, and may be 24 inches or greaterdepending upon the desired functional and/or aesthetic characteristicsof the subassembly and the construction of the vanes.

The spacing of the vanes vertically along the lengths of the innerelongate tapes and outer elongate tapes may be varied depending upon thefunctional and aesthetic characteristics desired. More specifically, inone embodiment, the length of one or more, and preferably all, the outerelongate tapes may be the same as or longer between at least one pair ofadjacent vanes than the length of the inner elongate tapes between thesame pair of adjacent vanes, or vice versa, the length of the innerelongate tapes between at least one pair of adjacent vanes may be longerthan the length of the outer elongate tapes between the same pair ofadjacent vanes. If desired, at least one of, and preferably all of, theouter elongate tapes may have a length between a top most vane and theroller that is the same as or longer than the length of at least one of,and preferably all of, the inner elongate tapes between that top mostvane and the roller. Alternatively, one or more, and preferably all of,the inner elongate tapes may have a length between a top most vane andthe roller that is longer than the length of at least one of, andpreferably all of, the outer elongate tapes between that top most vaneand the roller. If desired, at least one of, and preferably all of, theinner elongate tapes may have a length between a bottom most vane andthe bottom rail that is the same as or longer than the length of atleast one of, preferably all of, the outer elongate tapes between thatbottom most vane and the bottom rail, or vice-versa, one or more, andpreferably all of, the outer elongate tapes may have a length betweenthe bottom-most vane and the bottom rail that is longer than the lengthof at least one of, and preferably all of, the inner elongate tapesbetween that bottom most vane and the bottom rail. Changing the lengthof the inner tapes compared to the length of outer tapes betweenadjacent vanes, the roller and/or bottom rails may affect closure of thevanes to the bottom of the subassembly 180.

The elongate tapes are preferably made from a flexible material. Forexample, the flexible material can be selected from the group includingfilms, fabrics, textiles, plastics, or other materials and combinationsthereof. If desired, the textile may be a knit, woven, or non-wovenmaterial. The elongate tapes may also be transparent, translucent, oropaque. The elongate tapes may also be formed from a combination ofrelatively rigid materials interconnected by relatively flexiblematerials and/or multiple rigid materials interconnected together toform a flexible elongate tape that can bend and roll up about a roller.

The elongate tapes are generally selected to have a length so that thesubassembly extends to cover the entire architectural feature, such as astructure and/or opening, from top to bottom. The elongate tapes mayhave widths, as low as about 5 mm and as large as about 100 mm, withvariations therebetween in increments of about 1 mm. Preferably, widthsof the elongate tapes are as low as approximately 8 mm and as large asapproximately 25 mm, more preferably as low as approximately 8 mm and aslarge as approximately 12 mm. The width of the elongate tapes may be afunction of aesthetics, construction, material, strength to support thewindow covering, and support of the vanes. An elongate tape preferablyhas a thickness as low as approximately 0.25 mm and as large asapproximately 0.5 mm, with variations therebetween in increments ofabout 0.01 mm, although other thickness may be used and would be chosenbased upon a number of factors, including the material used, its widthand susceptibility to UV degradation.

Construction of the Vane Elements

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A-D, some embodiments of the covering may havea plurality of preferably independently formed multi-layered vanes 130that form cells 103 that change volume depending upon the position ofthe vertical support members, e.g., vertical tapes 110, 120.Multilayered vanes 130 extend between and are spaced along the length ofthe respective vertical support members. A multi-layered vane configuredto have a space (cell) between two or more layers when in one or morepositions in the architectural covering, and preferably at least whenthe subassembly is in an expanded configuration, is referred to hereinas a multi-layered cellular vane or “cellular vane,” while a vane thatis not multi-layered and/or does not form or have a space (cell) betweenthe layers is referred to herein as a “non-cellular vane”.

FIG. 1 shows a subassembly having all cellular vanes, while FIG. 2 showsa subassembly having non-cellular vanes. FIG. 5D shows a perspectiveview of a portion of an embodiment of a subassembly having both cellularand multiple non-cellular vanes. Non-cellular vane 530 may be formed ofa single sheet of material having a length 538 extending between firstand second ends 531, 532; a width 537 extending between side edges 533,534; an inner face 535 and on outer face 536 defining a thickness 539.It will be readily understood by one of skill in the art that anon-cellular vane of a different shape, size, and/or configuration maybe suitable for use within a subassembly of the architectural covering.For example, a non-cellular vane may be formed of multiple pieces ofmaterial aligned and coupled predominantly side to side, and/or anon-cellular vane may comprise multiple layers of material bonded orlaminated together. FIG. 5D also shows a multi-layered cellular vane 540which extends between side edges 543, 544.

The lateral and vertical movement of the tapes controls the shape andangular orientation of the multi-layered vanes 130. As a result, thevanes 130 change between a collapsed position or configuration (see FIG.4A) and an open position or configuration where the vanes 130 formthree-dimensional multi-layered cellular vane 130 (see FIGS. 1A, 4C-D)having a cell or space 103 between the layers of vane material.

In the collapsed position, each cell 103 may be substantially flattenedand the materials forming the multi-layered vane 130 may be generallyvertically and substantially parallel with each other and substantiallyparallel with each of the supporting elements 110, 120 as shown in FIG.4A. In some embodiments, in the collapsed position, multi-layered vanes130 may be adjacent to one another or partially overlap when in a closedposition where the cells have collapsed or been flattened so that vanes130 may form a pseudo-middle sheet positioned between the front and rearsupport elements, e.g., elongate tapes 120, 110 (see generally FIG. 4A).In some embodiments, there may be no overlap of the vanes and a gap mayexist between adjacent vanes when the vanes are in a closed or collapsedposition such that light or view through the gaps between adjacent vanesmay be possible.

Depending upon the material(s) used and the construction of panel 180,cells 103 formed by the multi-layered vanes 130 may be opened or closed,and their volume changes, by movement of the support elements, e.g.tapes, which may vary the light transmission and view-through of thepanel 180. In one or more embodiments, the multi-layered vanes may beconstructed and configured, and are preferably coupled, directly orindirectly, to the support elements, e.g., elongate tapes, in a mannerso that a cell is formed by the layers of the multi-layered vanes evenwhen the vane is in is closed position, such as when the subassembly isin an unrolled-collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 4A. In embodiments,the larger width of outer vane layer 132 in a multi-layered vane and itsconstruction may cause the outer vane layer 132 to be curved andslightly, laterally positioned or separated from the inner vane layer131, while the inner vane layer 131 remains substantially straight andtaut, to create a spacing 103 between the layers 131, 132 even when thesubassembly is in a collapsed configuration. The spacing between theinner vane layer 131 and the outer vane layer 132 creates a cell 103,also referred to as a space. When the subassembly of an embodiment isfully unrolled, or partially unrolled, the subassembly may be in acollapsed-configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, and the plurality ofvanes may overlap each other in overlap areas “OA”. Preferably, adjacentvanes overlap so that the vanes can control, inhibit, and/or, dependingupon the vane materials, block the transmission of light through thesubassembly. While the multi-layered vanes may be constructed to formcells even when the panel is in a collapsed configuration, the vanes maybe configured in a manner where no or substantially no cellular spacingis formed in the multi-layered vane when the panel is in the collapsedconfiguration.

When multi-layered vanes 130 are positioned so that cells 103 are openor at least partially open, the middle portion of each vane 130 may besubstantially perpendicular (see FIGS. 1, 4C-4D) or angled (See FIGS.4A-4B) with respect to at least one of support elements, e.g., tapes,110, 120. Multi-layered vanes 130, when open or partially open,preferably form walls that circumscribe and enclose space or cell 103with open ends. Multi-layered vanes 130 may be separately coupled to thetapes 110, 120 adjacent and spaced from each other so that the vanes donot share a common wall or material with another vane. In other words,each of the vanes 130 is separate, independent, and spaced from itsadjacent vanes 130 along the lengths of the vertical support elements,e.g., elongate tapes. Gaps or spaces 124 may be formed between adjacentvanes 130 such that, for example, adjacent multi-layered cellular vanes130 are separated by and spaced along a length of front and rearsupporting elements 120, 110. That is, gaps 124 may provide view throughand permit light transmission through the panel without impinging onvanes 130. In an open configuration, the multi-layered vanes form cellsthat may provide insulation by trapping air in each cell. Further, thecells may reduce or diffuse shadows created on the exterior side 165 ofthe covering from being as noticeable on the interior side 111 of thecovering. In other words, shadow lines due to light encountering thestructure of the covering or an object (e.g., debris) on the exteriorside thereof, whether or not at a particular angle of incidence, may bereduced as viewed from the interior side of the covering.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, when a subassembly is in anunrolled partially expanded configuration, the spacing (cell 103)between the inner vane layer 131 and the outer vane layer 132 expands orenlarges as the distance between the inner vane layer and outer vanelayer grows. As described herein the inner vane layer is also referredto as an inner slat layer, and the outer vane layer is also referred toas the outer slat layer. In embodiments of an assembled covering, theinner slat or vane layer is located radially inward from itscorresponding outer slat or vane layer when the panel subassembly isrolled up around the roller. The enlarged cell 103 diffuses light to agreater extent when in a partially expanded configuration than when thesubassembly is in the fully un-rolled, collapsed configuration.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the subassembly can be further deployed from thepartially expanded configuration into a fully expanded configuration byfurther rotation of the roller. When the subassembly is further expandedinto a fully-expanded configuration, as shown in FIG. 4C, the elongatetapes separate further, which moves the vanes to a position where themulti-layered cellular vane 130 takes on a substantially double “S”shaped cross section, with the outer vane layer 132 and the inner vanelayer 131 becoming further spaced apart, thereby enlarging the vane cell103. When in a fully expanded configuration the plurality of vanes arefully separated from each other and gaps 124 form between outer vanelayer 132 of higher vane 130 and the inner vane layer 131′ of lower vane130′. As a result, some direct light may not be blocked and passesthrough the gaps 124 between adjacent vanes, and thus passes through thesubassembly, and through the architectural opening.

As illustrated in FIG. 4D, cell 103 formed in multi-layered cellularvane 130 when in a shading configuration disperses direct light 110hitting inner face 133 of inner vane layer 131 into dispersed light 175that is transmitted to the outer vane layer 132. This results in vanecell 103 diffusing the direct light 195, and, as a result, cell 103minimizes shadows from debris, dust, bugs or other articles, andimperfections from appearing on the vane layer of the multi-layered vanethat is furthest from the source of light, which in the embodiment ofFIG. 4D is outer vane layer 132.

As illustrated in FIG. 4D, direct light 195 does not illuminate theentirety of inner faces 133, 133′ of inner vane layers 131, 131′. As aresult, a portion 105′ of inner vane layer 131′ is darker than theilluminated portion 104′ of inner vane layer 131′. Due to the multiplelayers of multi-layered vanes 130, 130′, and the translucent nature ofinner vane layer 131, 131′, direct light 195 passing through the innervane layers 131, 131′ is dispersed and diffuses as it travels betweenthe inner vane layer 131, 131′ and the outer vane layer 132, 132′ tobecome dispersed light 175, 175′. As a result of the dispersion ofdirect light 195 between the vane layers, dispersed light 175illuminates inner surface 135 of outer vane layer 132, and outer surface136 of the outer vane layer 132 has a visibly lighter portion 176 andthat softly transitions in intermediate portion 177 to a darker portion178, such that the transition between the light and dark areas on theouter vane layer 132 is spread out and appears much softer. If the vaneswere not multi-layered vanes the transition between dark portion 178 andlight portion 176 would be more abrupt and with greater contrast. Thesize of cell 103 (gap between inner and outer vane layers 131, 132) isproportionately related to the amount of diffusion the light undergoes,such that greater light diffusion will occur when the architecturalcovering 100 is in a fully-expanded, unrolled configuration (as shown inFIG. 4D) than when it is in a partially-expanded, unrolled configuration(as shown in FIG. 4B).

In one or more embodiments of the covering, one or more of the vanes maybe multi-layered vanes that include generally a top strip or layer offlexible material and a bottom strip or layer of flexible material. Themulti-layered vanes in one embodiment may be independently created andmay be coupled, and in some embodiments are preferably coupled directly,to the tapes to form multi-layered vanes. The multi-layered vanes may beformed in a number of different manners and have varying constructions.Generally, the multi-layered vane forms a top strip and bottom strip,each strip having two ends defining a length and two side edges defininga width, and the side edges may be folded, coupled, creased, heat set,manipulated, and/or interconnected to form a flattened tube ormulti-layered vane that will be coupled, directly or indirectly, to thesupporting elements and may become a cellular vane.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A-D, a cellular vane may include at least twovane layers forming a space (cell) there between when the multi-layeredvane is in at least one position, and preferably at least when thelayers of the multi-layered vane separate into a substantially expandedposition. The vane layers may be configured and/or connected to form afully intact multi-layered vane where the layers may separate tocircumscribe completely a space.

Multi-layered vane 600 includes an inner or first vane layer 610 (alsoreferred to as inner slat layer) and an outer or second vane layer 620(also referred to as an outer slat layer). Inner vane layer 610 has afirst end 611 and a second end 612, and a first longitudinal edge 613and a second longitudinal edge 614 between first end 611 and second end612. Inner vane layer 610 has a length 616 that extends between firstend 611 and second end 612 (in the direction of the longitudinal edges613, 614), and a width 615 that extends between longitudinal edge 613and longitudinal edge 614 (in a direction transverse to, preferablygenerally perpendicular to, the edges 613, 614). Inner vane layer 610has a thickness 619 perpendicular to length 616 and width 615. Innervane layer 610 has an inner edge region 691 extending along firstlongitudinal edge 613, an outer edge region 695 extending along secondlongitudinal edge 614, and a middle region 693 extending between inneredge region 691 and outer edge region 695.

In FIGS. 6A-D, outer vane layer 620 has a first end 621 and a second end622, and a first longitudinal edge 623 and a second longitudinal edge624 between first end 621 and second end 622. Outer vane layer 620 has alength 626 that extends between first end 612 and second end 622 (in thedirection of the longitudinal edges 614, 624), and a width 625 thatextends between longitudinal edge 623 and longitudinal edge 624. Width625 of outer vane layer 620 preferably is greater than width 615 ofinner vane layer 610. Outer vane layer 620 has a thickness 629perpendicular to length 626 and width 625. Outer vane layer 620 has aninner edge region 692 extending along first longitudinal edge 623, anouter edge region 696 extending along second longitudinal edge 624, anda middle region 694 extending between inner edge region 792 and outeredge region 696.

Inner vane layer 610 has an inner face 617 (FIG. 6C) and an outer face618 (preferably opposite the inner face 617) preferably separated by thethickness 619 of inner vane layer 610. Outer vane layer 620 has an innerface 627 (not visible in FIGS. 6A-7D) and an outer face 628 (preferablyopposite inner face 627) preferably separated by thickness of outer vanelayer 620.

The vanes may be configured to “flex” or bend between their longitudinaledges to change from a generally flat orientation to a generally curved,e.g., substantially “S” cross-section, the “S” shape being preferablefor aesthetic reasons, although other shapes are also contemplated. Suchflexibility of vanes 130 can provide a versatile geometry for theroll-up covering. The subassembly may be configured to reside in or bebiased to a collapsed configuration wherein the vanes are substantiallycollapsed such that they inhibit or block light from passing therethrough when the subassembly is initially unrolled from the roller.

As will be understood, the lengths of the inner and outer vane layers donot need to be the same, and neither do the widths or thicknesses ofeach vane layer, and it is likely, but not necessary, that the inner andouter vane layers are made from different materials, e.g., fabrics.Outer vane layer 620 and inner vane layer 610 are preferably dimensionedand configured such that a space 630 may exist between outer vane layer620 and inner vane layer 610, thereby forming vane cell 630, preferablybetween inner face 627 of outer vane layer 620 and outer face 618 ofinner vane layer 610 when the vane is in at least one position, andpreferably at least when the vane is in a substantially expandedposition. Width 625 of outer vane layer 620 being larger than width 615of inner vane layer 610 may facilitate forming cell 630. Other factorsthat may affect the formation of cell 630 are the material out of whichthe vane layers 610, 620 are formed, the construction and/or attachmentof the vane material(s) and/or layers, as well as the dimensions(thickness, width and length) of the vane layers. The elongatestiffeners described below and their interaction with the vanes willalso affect the formation of cell 630.

Preferably, cell 630 extends the length of the vane layers and, in oneembodiment, the vane layers may be connected, coupled, or attached toeach other, directly or indirectly along their respective longitudinaledges to form an elongate, generally longitudinal sleeve or tube. In oneembodiment, the vane layers may be connected, coupled, or attached toeach other, directly or indirectly, in proximity of the tapes tofacilitate forming the generally elongate, longitudinal sleeve or tubehaving the spacing or cell. The generally elongate longitudinal sleevemay have any cross-sectional shape.

The vane layers are preferably formed from a flexible material. Thevanes layers may be formed of one or more of fabrics, textiles, knits,wovens, non-wovens, plastics, films, and any other material having thedesired light transmitting or inhibiting properties, and the desiredflexibility and strength characteristics. Materials of different colors,and/or different patterns may be used for the vanes. Opaque,translucent, or transparent materials may be used for the vane material.Different materials may be used to form an outer vane layer and an innervane layer of a single multi-layered vane. For example, one vane layermay be formed of a translucent textile while the other vane layer isformed of a different material, for example metal or plastic, that isopaque or relatively transparent. A vane layer may also be formed frommultiple materials.

In one embodiment the covering may be designed to substantially blocklight from being transmitted through the architectural opening in aclosed configuration, e.g., room-darkening, hereinafter for the sake ofconvenience but not to limit the disclosure also referred to as “blackout”, by utilizing multi-layered vanes. For example, the strip or layerthat faces the exterior or rear may be black or darker in color than theother strip or layer. The rear-facing strip, for example, may be a blackout material that substantially blocks any light from passing throughthe material and the other front strip can be made from a translucentmaterial. By utilizing a multi-layer vane having a black strip facingthe rear or outside and a translucent strip facing the front, anydefects in the rear black-out strip, or any light transmitted past therear layer will be diffused by the front facing layer. In the privacyorientation or version, the black-out or darker strip facing the rear isthe bottom strip. In the shading version, the blackout or darker stripfacing the rear is the top strip of the multilayered vane.Alternatively, a material that is very light diffusive can be used forthe rear strip, preferably the bottom strip, and a textured fabric maybe preferred for the front facing strip, preferably the top strip, orvice versa.

The vanes may also contain one or more additional layers besides the topand bottom strips. For example, use of a third strip positioned betweenthe top strip and the bottom strip may be a middle layer in amulti-layered vane. The third or middle layer, and optionally additionallayers, may be a film, and films or fabrics made from polyester bondand/or weld well with other polyester materials that may be utilized forthe other strips forming the multi-layered vane. The additional layersin a multi-layered vane may provide better shading effect. In anillustrative embodiment, a first roll of fabric of top strip, a secondroll of fabric of middle layer material, and a third roll of bottomstrip are each unrolled so that the top strip, middle layer material,and bottom strip are arranged as layers and fed to an ultrasonic welderor other attachment process to form a multilayer vane. In particularversions, use of a third layer in a multi-layered vane may provide animproved black-out vane. In one embodiment, the third layer may form amiddle layer and materials may be selected to provide blackout so thatlight does not pass through the multi-layered vane. Metalized films suchas DuPont® #329 and Mylar® may be used as the third middle layer toprovide a blackout effect. All three layers preferably may be cut-sealedat the same time, and coupled at their edges. The third layer is onlybonded to the other layers at its edges and it is free to separate fromthe other layers to form or contribute to the formation of a cell orspacing.

Static electricity buildup may affect separation of the vane layers andopening of the vane. This is especially an issue with multi-layeredvanes that form thin sleek cells. Therefore, treatment of the vanematerials with antistatic compounds, particularly on the surfaces of thestrips that face each other and form the cavity, may reduce this staticeffect and facilitate the opening of the cells. An antistatic materialmay also be incorporated into the strips by, for example, printing theantistatic material on a surface of the vane strips.

If desired, the vane material can be provided with registration markingsand printed with discrete segments of an image or design, wherein acomplete design is formed when the roll-up covering is in anunrolled-collapsed configuration. Moreover, the image can be printed onthe vane material with registration markings during the manufacturingprocess to provide custom roll-up window coverings.

Preferably, the inner and outer vane layers each have a length of about10 inches to about 144 inches, which may vary therebetween in incrementsof about ⅛ of an inch. Shorter and longer lengths are contemplated. Thewidths of the vane layers may be any desirable width but are generallyabout one (1) to six (6) inches, preferably about two (2) to about five(5) inches, and most preferably about three (3) to about four (4) inchesand may vary in increments therebetween of about ⅛ of an inch. The vanesmay be made to be of uniform constant width, or the width of the vanesin a subassembly can be different and have one or more widths.Preferably the width of the first portion of a vane layer, i.e., thewidth of the inner edge region, may be as low as about 1/16 to as largeas about ⅜ of an inch, the width of the second portion of the vanelayer, i.e., the width of the outer edge region, may be as low as about1/16 to about as large as ⅜ of an inch, and the width of the thirdportion of the vane layer, i.e., the width of the middle region, makesup the remaining width of the vane layer. The width of the inner edgeregion and the width of the outer edge region in one embodiment may beabout the same width as the optional elongate stiffeners or about halfthe width of angled elongate stiffeners described below, and/or aboutthe same width as the attachment areas of the vane layer(s) to theelongate tapes. While the width of the inner edge regions have beendescribed as being as low as 1/16 to as large as ⅜ of an inch wide, thewidth may vary therebetween in increments of about 1/32 of an inch andit is contemplated that other widths both smaller and larger arefeasible. Preferably, the length of a vane layer is greater than thewidth of each elongate tape, and more preferably is greater than the sumof the width(s) of each inner elongate tape and/or the sum of thewidth(s) of each outer elongate tape. A vane layer preferably has athickness as low as about 0.005 inch to as large as about 0.0005 of aninch and may vary therebetween in increments of about 0.0001 inches. Thethickness of each vane layer is generally at least 50 times smaller thaneither the length and/or the width of the vane layer. In one embodiment,the thickness of the vane layer preferably may be at least 100 timessmaller than either its length and/or width, more preferably at least300 times smaller than either its length and/or width.

To form a multi-layered vane, a single piece or multiple pieces ofmaterial may be utilized to form an inner vane layer and an outer vanelayer. A single piece of material may be creased, folded, and/or heatset and coupled, directly or indirectly, to itself to create the vanelayers. Alternatively, multiple pieces of material may be used to formthe inner and/or outer layers, and in one embodiment multiple pieces ofmaterial may be coupled at their ends to form an inner vane layer andmultiple pieces of material may be coupled at their ends to form anouter vane layer. It will be appreciated that the manner in which themulti-layered vane is formed may affect the profile (cross-section) ofthe cellular space formed, and it may be desirable to form amulti-layered vane with clean edges that are aesthetically pleasing whenviewed between the elongate tapes supporting the vanes, and to otherwiseform the vane to achieve various aesthetic effects.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A-9B, constructions of various embodiments of amulti-layered vane will be discussed below. Particularly, FIGS. 7A-7Billustrate a construction of an embodiment of a multi-layered vaneformed from a single piece of material, while FIGS. 7C-7D illustrate aconstruction of another embodiment of a multi-layered vane formed from asingle piece of material. FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a construction of anembodiment of a multi-layered vane formed from two pieces of material,FIGS. 8C-8D illustrate a construction of another embodiment of acellular vane formed from two pieces of material, and FIGS. 8E-8Fillustrate a construction of an additional embodiment of a multi-layeredvane formed from two pieces of material. FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate aconstruction of an embodiment of a multi-layered vane formed from fourpieces of material and include stiffener pockets. Other constructions ofa multi-layered vane formed of more or less pieces and of constructiondifferent than illustrated in FIGS. 7A-9B are contemplated. For example,a single vane layer may be constructed and formed by combining one ormore materials, including one or more sheets of material.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, a multi-layered vane 700 may be formedfrom a single piece of continuous (integral) material 710 which may be asheet having a first end 711, a second end 712, a first longitudinaledge 713 extending between first end 711 and second end 712, and asecond longitudinal edge 714 extending between first end 711 and secondend 712, and which may be substantially parallel to first longitudinaledge 713. Sheet 710 has a length 716 extending between first end 711 andthe second end 712. Sheet 710 is creased, folded, perforated, heat set,and/or otherwise manipulated, and coupled to itself to form amulti-layered vane 700.

More specifically, the single piece of material 710 may be manipulatedalong its length 816 in order to form the multi-layered vane 700 bycreasing, folding, perforating, heat-setting, and/or otherwise to form afirst fold line 721, and creasing, folding, and/or heat-setting thesheet along its length 716 to form a second fold line 722, which causesthe single piece of material 710 to overlap and/or contact over an area730 between first longitudinal edge 713 and second longitudinal edge 714and ends 711, 712. The sheet of material 710 may be coupled to itselfwithin area 730 to form a multi-layer vane 700 having a vane length,which may be, for example, equivalent to the length 716 of single sheetof material 710. Material 710 may be coupled, directly or indirectly, toitself along a single line, or at separate points or areas within area730, via welding (ultrasonic, hot knife, etc.), glue, stitching, orother methods of attachment.

Once material 710 is folded and coupled, directly or indirectly, toitself, cellular vane 700 is configurable to form, and preferably in atleast the expanded condition in the architectural covering forms, acellular spacing 703 between an inner vane layer 701 and an outer vanelayer 702. The resulting inner vane layer 701 has a width extendingbetween the first fold line 721 and second fold line 722. Outer vanelayer 702 extends between first fold line 721 and second fold line 722.While overlap area 730 is shown as being part of inner vane layer 710 itcan be appreciated that alternatively overlap area 730 may form part ofouter vane layer 720 and may be configured to be located in differentpositions of inner or outer vane layers 710, 720.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 7C-7D, a single sheet of material710 may form a multi-layered vane 700 by creasing, folding and/or heatsetting the sheet along its length 716 to form a first fold line 721 andattaching longitudinal edges 713, 714, of material 710 to each other viawelding (ultrasonic, hot knife, etc.), glue, stitching, or other methodsof attachment. Preferably the area where longitudinal edges 713, 714 ofthe sheets are coupled is small and of limited width. In FIG. 7C, oncefolded and coupled, an inner vane layer 701 extends between firstlongitudinal edge 713 and first fold line 721 and an outer vane layer702 extends between first fold line 721 and second longitudinal edge714. While the embodiment of multi-layered vane 700 was shown anddescribed as being formed of a single piece of material, multi-layeredvane 700 may be formed of multiple pieces of material.

An example of a multi-layered vane formed from multiple pieces ofmaterial will now be described. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG.8A-B, two distinct sheets of material may be coupled, directly orindirectly, to each other to form a multi-layered vane 800. Sheet 810has a length 816 extending between a first end 811 and a second end 812,and a width extending between a first longitudinal edge 813 and a secondlongitudinal edge 814. Second sheet 820 has a length 826 extendingbetween a first end 821 and a second end 822, and a width extendingbetween a first longitudinal edge 823 and a second longitudinal edge824.

The two sheets of material 810, 820 may be manipulated by creasing,folding, and/or heat setting first sheet 810 along its length 816,thereby forming a first fold line 817, and by creasing, folding, and/orheat setting second sheet 820 along its length 826, thereby forming asecond fold line 827. Sheets 810, 820 may overlay each other and bepositioned with respect to each other so that second longitudinal edge814 of first sheet 810 is positioned beyond second longitudinal edge 824of second sheet 820 to form a first overlapping area 840 where sheets810, 820 preferably overlap each other and are coupled, directly orindirectly, and first longitudinal edge 813 of first sheet 810 ispositioned beyond first longitudinal edge 823 of second sheet 820 toform a second overlapping area 830 where sheets 810, 820 preferablyoverlap each other and are coupled. The two sheets of material 810, 820may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to each other along a singleline, at multiple separate locations within the areas of overlap 830,840, or within the entire areas of overlap 830, 840, via welding(ultrasonic, hot knife, etc.), glue, stitching, and/or other methods ofattachment including methods now known and methods developed in thefuture. The two sheets of material 810, 820 may be coupled, directly orindirectly, to each other within the first area of overlap 840 andwithin second area of overlap 830, but are preferably not coupled inother areas or regions so these unattached regions may separate fromeach other to form a space or cell 803. Attachment areas 830, 840 may belocated in positions other than those illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B. Oncecoupled to each other, first sheet of material 810 and second sheet ofmaterial 820 may form a multi-layered vane 800 having an inner vanelayer 801 and an outer vane layer 802 that extend between first foldline 817 and second fold line 827 and which facilitate the formation ofa space or cell 803 between inner layer 801 and outer layer 802.

Alternatively, the first and second sheets of material 810, 820 may bemanipulated such that a multi-layered vane 800 may be formed, butneither sheet is creased and/or folded. As illustrated in FIG. 8C-D,first sheet 810 having first end 811 and second end 812, and secondsheet 820 having first end 821 and second end 822 can overlay each otherand first longitudinal edge 813 of front sheet 810 is aligned roughlyend to end with first longitudinal edge 823 of second sheet 820 to forma first area of overlap 831, and second longitudinal edge 814 of firstsheet 810 is roughly aligned end to end with second longitudinal edge824 of second sheet 820 to form a second area of overlap 841. The twosheets of material 810, 820 may be coupled, directly or indirectly, toeach other along a single line within overlap areas 831, 841, atseparate or discrete areas within overlap areas 831, 841, or the entirearea of overlap areas 831, 841, via welding (ultrasonic, hot knife,etc.), glue, stitching, and/or other methods of attachment, includingmethods now known and/or methods developed in the future. Once coupled,the first sheet of material 810 forms an inner layer 801 and the secondsheet of material 820 forms an outer layer 802. The first sheet andsecond sheet preferably are not coupled in regions other than areas 831,834 so those other unattached regions may separate as illustrated inFIG. 8C. In this manner sheets 810, 820 are configurable to form, andpreferably in at least the expanded condition in the architecturalcovering forms, a multi-layered vane 800 having a space 803 betweeninner vane layer 801 and outer vane layer 802.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8E-F, sheets 810, 820 arealigned and arranged to overlay each other and are cut-welded so sheets810, 820 are coupled at a limited region along their longitudinal edges.The multiple sheets of material 810, 820 may be coupled, directly orindirectly to each other along first longitudinal edges 813, 823 of eachsheet 810, 820 and coupled, directly or indirectly, along secondlongitudinal edges 814, 824 of each sheet 810, 820. Coupling andattachment may be accomplished via welding, such as, for example,ultrasonic cut weld seal, hot knife, or other methods of attachment.Once coupled, the first sheet of material 810 forms an inner vane layer801 and second sheet of material 820 forms an outer vane layer 802.Preferably, first vane layer 801 and second vane layer 802 aredimensioned, configured, and constructed to facilitate the formation ofa multi-layered vane 800 having a space or cell 803 between inner andouter layers 801, 802.

Multi-layered vanes also may be configured and assembled as shown anddescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/830,241, whichapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, or asshown and described in U.S. Patent application No. 62/414,248, entitled“Covering for Architectural Features, Related Systems and Methods ofManufacture”, which was filed on Oct. 28, 2016, and which application ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The attachment ofsheets 8E-F may be along a limited attachment region and preferablyforms a hinge so that the inner and outer layers easily separate asdescribed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application No. 62/414,248,entitled “Covering for Architectural Features, Related Systems andMethods of Manufacture” filed on Oct. 28, 2016.

Preferably, in each of the embodiments of multi-layered vanes 700, 800,in at least the expanded position, the cellular spacing extends thelength of the vane and with the vane layers forms an elongate tube orsleeve with open ends. Preferably, the distance (width) between thelongitudinal edges (for example, formed by attachment regions or foldlines) of the outer layer is longer than the distance (width) betweenthe longitudinal edges (for example, formed by attachment regions orfold lines) of the inner layer such that the width of the outer vanelayer is greater than the width of the inner vane layer whichfacilitates the formation of the cellular space.

In further embodiments, a multi-layered vane may also include at leastone stiffener pocket to hold an elongate stiffener within themulti-layered vane. Other embodiments may include two or more stiffenerpockets. As illustrated in FIGS. 9A-B, a multi-layered vane 900 may beconstructed from a first sheet of material 910 having a first face 917and a second face 918, a second sheet of material 920 having a firstface 927 and a second face 928, and at least a third sheet of material930 (also referred to herein as a “pocket sheet”) configured to form atleast one stiffener pocket 960 and having a first face 948 and a secondface 949. The sheets of material have first longitudinal edges 913, 923,933 and second longitudinal edges 914, 924, 934. The sheets 910, 920have first ends 911, 921 and second ends 912, 922; lengths 916, 926extending between respective ends 911, 912, and ends 921, 922; andwidths extending between respective longitudinal edges 913, 914 and 923,924. The third piece of material 930 (also referred to herein as apocket sheet 930), preferably a sheet, has a length 936 extendingbetween a first end 931 and a second end 932, and a width, generallytransverse and preferably perpendicular its length, and extendingbetween a first longitudinal edge 933, and a second longitudinal edge934. Third sheet 930 may be manipulated along its length 936 by, forexample, folding, creasing, perforating, heat-setting and/or otherwise,to form a first fold line 937, thereby forming an overlap area 961between first longitudinal edge 933 and fold line 937. The sheet 930 maybe coupled to first face 927 of second sheet of material 920 in area ofoverlap 961. The second longitudinal edge 934 may be coupled to, oralong, longitudinal edge 914 of first sheet of material 910 and/orlongitudinal edge 924 of second sheet of material 920 to form stiffenerpocket 960 between first face 927 of second sheet 920 and pocket sheet930.

A second stiffener pocket 970 may be similarly formed by attaching tofirst sheet 910 at least one sheet of material 940 (also referred toherein as a “pocket sheet”) that is manipulated by folding, creasing,perforating, heat setting, and/or otherwise to form a fold line 947. Anoverlap area 971 is formed between a first longitudinal edge 943 andfold line 947 of pocket sheet 940, where pocket sheet 940 preferablyoverlaps the first sheet 910. Second pocket sheet 940 may be coupled tosecond face 918 of first sheet 910 in the overlap area 971. Secondlongitudinal edge 944 of second pocket sheet 940 may be coupled to, oralong, first longitudinal edge 923 of second sheet 920 and/or firstlongitudinal edge 913 of first sheet of material 910 to form secondstiffener pocket 970 between second face 918 of first sheet 910 andsecond pocket sheet 1040.

Longitudinal edge 933 of pocket sheet 930 and longitudinal edge 943 ofsecond pocket sheet 940 alternatively may be coupled, directly orindirectly, to respective sheets 920, 910 without utilizing fold lines937, 947 by extending pocket sheets 930, 940 basically parallel tosheets 920, 910 and in a manner that provides a space for the elongatestiffener.

First sheet of material 910 preferably forms an inner vane layer 901extending between first longitudinal edge 913 and second longitudinaledge 914 of first sheet of material 910, and second sheet of material920 preferably forms an outer vane layer 902 extending between firstlongitudinal edge 923 and second longitudinal edge 924 of second sheetof material 920. Preferably outer vane layer 902 and inner vane layer901 are dimensioned and configured to form a cell or space 903 betweenvane layers 901, 902. Preferably, in at least the expanded position,cellular spacing 903 extends the length of the vane, and with the vanelayers, forms an elongate tube or sleeve with open ends. Preferably thedistance between longitudinal edges 923, 924 of second sheet 920 islonger than the distance between longitudinal edges 913, 914 of firstsheet 910 such that the width of outer vane layer 902 is greater thanthe width of inner vane layer 901, which facilitates the formation of acell 903. While sheets 910, 920 have been described and illustrated inthe embodiment of FIGS. 9A-B as single, integral sheets of material,sheets 910, 920 may be formed of multiple pieces of material.

The pocket sheets may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to a face of avane, and/or face of a piece of material forming a vane, via anadhesive, glue, bonding, welding, heat seal, stitching, stapling,ultrasonic weld, or ultrasonic cut seal, among other options. Thestiffener pocket preferably is sized and configured to have an elongatestiffener disposed within, and it may be further sized and configured toconstrain the stiffener from twisting or rotating. The stiffener pocketpreferably will permit lateral movement, expansion and contraction ofthe stiffener within the stiffener pocket, and will permit the stiffenerto expand and contract at different rates than the vanes, including thevane layers, to avoid wrinkling, bulging, and other undesireddeformations of the vane material caused by different thermal rates ofexpansion between the stiffener and vane materials. The pocket sheet maybe formed from a flexible material, such as fabrics, textiles, woven andnon-woven materials, knitted fabrics, and plastic materials, includingfilms. The pocket sheet may be formed of transparent, opaque, ortranslucent materials. The pocket sheet preferably may be formed of athin nonwoven fabric. Preferably, a pocket sheet is formed of thin,transparent (preferably very transparent) flexible thermoplastic film,preferably in one embodiment a polyethylene film having a thickness ashigh as approximately 0.005 inches and as low as approximately 0.0005inches thick, with variations therebetween in increments of about 0.0001inches, most preferably having a thickness of about 0.0005 inches.

Construction of Elongate Stiffeners

A subassembly may further include one or more elongate stiffeners.Preferably, subassembly 180, as illustrated in FIG. 1, further includesa plurality of elongate stiffeners 140, more preferably, each vane hastwo relatively thin elongate stiffeners. The elongate stiffeners areassociated with, disposed along, and in some embodiments coupled,directly or indirectly, to the vanes to provide stiffness and/ortorsional rigidity to vanes in certain locations, such as, for example,along the longitudinal edges of the vanes where they preferably may becoupled, directly or indirectly, to the vertical support elements. Theelongate stiffeners preferably inhibit or prevent the vanes from saggingand drooping along their length and in between the vertical supportelements, e.g., elongate tapes. The stiffeners may also improve thecontrol and movement of the vanes so that the vanes may more reliablymove, rotate, flex, and/or pivot. For example, the stiffeners facilitatetorsion being applied to the vanes by the elongate tapes along thelength of the vanes so the vanes rotate, flex, and pivot more reliably.The elongate stiffener generally is a single piece of integral materialthat has a length that generally corresponds to or is approximately thesame as or is the same as the length of the vanes, but multiple piecesof material may form an elongate stiffener and its length need notcorrespond to or be approximately the same as the length of the vanes.These and other benefits will be apparent to a person of ordinary skillin the art.

Turning to FIGS. 10A-10F, details of various embodiments of an elongatestiffener, as introduced generally above, will be described in furtherdetail below. Particularly, FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate the details of anembodiment of a planar elongate stiffener, FIGS. 10C-10D illustrate thedetails of an embodiment of a curved elongate stiffener, and FIGS.10E-10F illustrate the details of an embodiment of an angled elongatestiffener. Other shapes and sizes of elongate stiffeners arecontemplated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10F, an elongate stiffener 1000 preferablyhas a first end 1001 and a second end 1002, a length 1008 extendingbetween first end 1001 and second end 1002, a lateral axis “Y”preferably centrally located along its length 1008, a first side 1003and a second side 1004, and a width 1007 extending between first side1003 and second side 1004 such that width 1007 is generallyperpendicular to length 1008. Elongate stiffener 1000 preferably has athickness 1009, generally perpendicular to both its length 1008 andwidth 1007, as low as about 6 thousandths of an inch to as large asabout 30 thousandths of an inch, with variations therebetween inincrements of about one thousandth of an inch, and preferably athickness of about 15 to 20 thousandths of an inch. Thickness 1009 isgenerally at least 5 times smaller than either length 1008 and/or width1009. In one embodiment, thickness 1009 of stiffener 1000 preferably maybe at least 10 times smaller than either its length 1008 and/or width1007, more preferably at least 30 times smaller than either its length1008 and/or width 1007. The elongate stiffener has a length thatgenerally corresponds to, is approximately the same as, or is the sameas the length of the vanes.

In some embodiments, elongate stiffener 1000 has a first face 1005 and asecond face 1006, each face 1005, 1006 formed by a surface defined bylength 1008 and width 1007 of the stiffener, and separated by thickness1009. The stiffener may be substantially flat, curved, have angledsurfaces with a crease along its length 1008, have both angled surfacesand curved surfaces, curved in cross-section along its length 1008, orother shapes and cross-sectional configurations. While elongatestiffeners 1000 in FIGS. 10A-F have been described as having a firstside 1003 and a second side 1004, it will be appreciated that the sidesmay come to longitudinal edges at the intersections of faces 1005, 1006.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10A-B, a substantially flat stiffener 1000 has afirst planar face 1005, and a second planar face 1006. First face 1005is preferably within a plane that is parallel to the plane of secondface 1006, as illustrated. Alternatively, first face 1005 may berelatively flat, and in a plane that is not parallel to the plane ofsecond face 1006. First face 1005 and second face 1006 may also havecontouring.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10C-D, an elongate stiffener 1000 may be curvedalong its length, thereby creating a curved stiffener. The curvedstiffener of FIGS. 10C-D preferably has a curved cross-section in aplane B-B perpendicular to the lateral axis Y (e.g., it is “crowned”)such that a first curved surface 1005 of the elongate stiffener may beconcave, and a second, opposite curved surface 1006 of the elongatestiffener may be convex. Concave surface 1005 of the stiffener may havea radius of curvature “r” that substantially matches or is close to theradius of curvature of the roller used in the architectural covering.The radius of curvature “r” of the curved stiffener may, for example, beabout as low about 1 inch to as large as about 4 inches, and may varytherebetween in increments of about 1/16 of an inch. Other values forthe radius of curvature for the curved stiffener are contemplated, whichmay be influenced by the radius of curvature of the roller used. Convexsurface 1006 of elongate stiffener 1000 may have a radius of curvaturethat is the same as, nearly the same as, or different then the radius ofcurvature of first surface 1005.

The curved stiffener has a crown height “CH”, which is the largestvertical distance between one or more of longitudinal edges 1013, 1014and the apex or highest point/line along second surface 1006.Longitudinal edges 1013, 1014 may be formed between sides 1003, 1004 andfirst surface 1005. As shown in FIG. 10D, the crown height CH of thecurved elongate stiffener may vary from about 0 to about 100 thousandthsof an inch, and may vary therebetween in increments of five (5)thousandths of an inch. More preferably the crown height CH is about 20to about 70 thousandths of an inch, and more preferably about 50thousandths of an inch.

One or more of faces 1005, 1006 may be concave, convex, or substantiallyplanar (flat). For example, the elongate stiffener may have a curvedconcave face 1005 as illustrated in FIG. 10B and a substantially flatplanar face as illustrated in FIG. 10A. Other combinations and shapesare also contemplated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10E-F, an elongate stiffener 1000 may be creasedor bent along or about its length, thereby creating an elongate angledstiffener. An angled stiffener may have a crease “C”, a first face 1015along first surface 1005 (see FIG. 10F), a second face 1025 along firstsurface 1005 (see FIG. 10F), a third face 1036 along second surface1006, and a fourth face 1046 along second surface 1006. The elongatestiffener may be angled in cross-section in a plane B-B perpendicular tothe lateral axis Y (e.g., may be “crowned”). The angled stiffener shownin FIG. 10F has an angle “A” between first face 1015 and second face1025 preferably less than 180 degrees and more preferably about 120degrees to about 170 degrees. The apex or peak of the angle A, wherefirst face 1015 and second face 1025 meet may be centrally located alongthe length of the stiffener, or the apex (e.g., peak) of the angle A maybe laterally offset to be closer to one of sides 1003, 1004. The angledstiffener has a crown height “CH”, which is the largest vertical heightof the elongate stiffener between one or more of longitudinal edges1013, 1014 of first surface 1005 and the apex point or line along secondsurface 1006 (preferably the peak of crease C). Longitudinal edges 1013,1014 may be formed between sides 1003, 1004 and the first surface 1005.The crown height CH of the angle stiffener may vary from about 20 toabout 100 thousandths of an inch, more preferably about 50 thousandthsof an inch. The crown height may vary depending upon the properties andcharacteristics desired, which may be a function of the material out ofwhich the elongate stiffener is made, the vane configuration, and theproperties of the materials of the vanes.

While FIGS. 10E-F show an angled elongate stiffener with substantiallyflat, planar faces 1015, 1025, 1036, and 1046, it can be appreciatedthat one or more of faces 1015, 1025, 1036, and 1046 may take adifferent shape. The faces may be rounded or curved or take any othershape and do not have to be flat or substantially planar. The apex ofthe angle where the faces 1015, 1025 meet may be centrally located orlocated at a different position offset from the center.

The width of the elongate stiffeners is relatively small, and generallysmaller than the diameter of the roller to facilitate rollup of thestiffeners when the subassembly is rolled up about the roller. In someembodiments, the width of a stiffener may be as small as about 3/16 ofan inch to as large as about ⅝ inch, may be up to about one inch, andmay vary therebetween in increments of about 1/32 of an inch. A largerstiffener width may be appropriate, particularly for vanes of largerwidth (e.g., 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 inches). The width of the stiffenermay vary depending upon aesthetics, desire shape of the vanes and thecells formed in between the vanes, and the spacing or form of thesupport elements (e.g., relatively thin tapes or wider strips orsheets).

An elongate stiffener may be formed from translucent or opaque material,although in some embodiments a transparent or substantially transparentstiffener is preferred. The stiffeners preferably are relatively rigidor stiff, as compared to the construction of the vanes, and may beformed from at least one of a plastic or polymeric material, a metallicmaterial (such as, for example, aluminum, titanium, brass, or steel),ceramic, rigid foam, wood, or the like. Alternatively, in addition tothe configurations shown in FIGS. 10A-F, the stiffeners may be formedand shaped like wires, cables, or thin rods. Preferably, an angledelongate stiffener is formed of transparent plastic, and, morepreferably is formed of polycarbonate.

Turning to FIGS. 11A-11C, formation of an embodiment of an angledstiffener, as illustrated in FIGS. 10E-10F will be described in furtherdetail below. The angled stiffener may be created by cold-form bending asubstantially thin, flat, planar, piece of plastic material 1100, thatmay be rectangularly-shaped. The substantially thin, flat piece ofplastic material 1100, having a first face 1105 and a second face 1106,is drawn through at least one die 1130 shown in FIG. 11A having an angleA₁ of about 90 degrees. After the plastic stiffener material 1100 isdrawn through the at least one die 1130 having an angle of about 90degrees, the angle in the plastic material between a first portion 1115of first face 1105 and a second portion 1125 of the first face 1105relaxes to an angle A2 shown in FIG. 11C that is between about 110degrees and about 170 degrees, thereby creating an angled stiffenerhaving an angle A2 and a crown height “CH”. In one embodiment, multipleelongate stiffeners are formed by rolling out two continuous rolls ofstraight, flat polycarbonate film, bending the film to about a 90-degreeangle by running the films through a die with an angle of about 90degrees where, thereafter, the angle A2 in the plastic relaxes to about110 to about 170 degrees, and the stiffeners are cut to length.

Construction of Stiffened Multi-Layered Vanes

Construction of the light-controlling subassembly of FIG. 1 generallyinvolves constructing the multi-layered vanes with one or more elongatestiffeners, and connecting the one or more stiffened multi-layered vanesto the elongate tapes. In one embodiment, a subassembly includes one ormore multi-layered vanes having two vane layers, and at least twoelongate stiffeners, where the multi-layered vane is connected toelongate tapes, preferably one or more inner elongate tapes and one ormore outer elongate tapes. Preferably, in at least the expandedposition, the multi-layered vane forms and the vane layers circumscribea space or cell that extends the length of the vane and, with the vanelayers (and preferably one or more stiffeners), forms an elongate tubeor sleeve, preferably with open ends.

A multi-layered vane may be constructed and have the structureillustrated in FIG. 6A-6D, 7A-D, 8A-F, or 9A-B or may have otherconstructions as appreciated by one of skill in the art. Elongatestiffeners may be constructed as illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10F, and11A-C. In one embodiment, elongate stiffeners are formed and amulti-layered vane is constructed where the stiffeners are thenassociated with, disposed along, or coupled directly or indirectly to,the multi-layered vane and positioned along the length of themulti-layered vane to form a stiffened multi-layered vane. Then thestiffened multi-layered vane is associated with or coupled directly orindirectly to, multiple elongate tapes. In other embodiments, theelongate stiffeners are associated with, disposed along, or coupleddirectly or indirectly to, one or more pieces of material, then astiffened multi-layered vane is constructed from the one or more piecesof material combined with the elongate stiffeners, and then thestiffened multi-layered vane is associated with, or coupled directly orindirectly to, multiple elongate tapes. In other embodiments, the vanes,stiffeners and tapes may be constructed in one integrated process.

Preferably, in one embodiment, a first elongate stiffener is associatedwith, disposed along, or connected directly or indirectly to an innerface of an outer vane layer, and a second elongate stiffener isassociated with, disposed along, or connected directly or indirectly toan outer face of an inner vane layer. The inner vane layer may beassociated with, disposed along, or connected directly or indirectly toinner or outer elongate tapes, and the outer vane layer may beassociated with, disposed along, or connected directly or indirectly tothe other remaining elongate tapes, e.g., outer elongate tapes or innerelongate tapes. Most preferably, the stiffeners are angled elongatestiffeners.

Associating, disposing, and/or connecting an elongate stiffener to avane, preferably such that the elongate stiffener is positioned alongthe length of the vane, more preferably along an edge region of thevane, functions to increase the stiffness of that region of the vane,such that the vane can bridge the horizontal distance between elongatetapes without the vane sagging or drooping excessively across thedistance separating the elongate tapes to meet the structural andaesthetically desired characteristics and properties of the vanes.Elongate stiffeners also function to apply a torsional force across thevane, preferably across the full length of the vane, when thesubassembly is moving between configurations such that the vane willmove (e.g., rotate, pivot) into a desired position (e.g., substantiallyexpanded, substantially collapsed, or angled). In some embodiments, avane is stiffened along an edge of a vane layer without using anelongate stiffener, such as by impregnating and/or coating an edgeregion of a flexible vane material with a stiffening material or agentalong the edge to create a stiffened edge.

Various embodiments of a subassembly of a roll-up cellular architecturalcovering are illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12E, 13A-13E, and 14A-14E. FIGS.12A-B, 13A-B, and 14A-B illustrate exploded views of differentembodiments of a stiffened multi-layered vane. While only one stiffenedmulti-layered vane 1230, 1330, 1430 is shown illustrated in FIGS. 12A-B,13A-B, 14A-B, it is understood that the subassembly may include one ornumerous additional stiffened multi-layered vanes 1230, 1330, 1430 ofsimilar or different construction, non-stiffened multi-layered vanes,non-cellular vanes, and further may include fewer elongate tapes orstiffeners, and/or additional elongate tapes or stiffeners.

Turning to FIGS. 12A, 13A, 14A, various configurations and connectionsof elongate stiffeners to a multi-layered vane to form variousembodiments of a stiffened multi-layered vane are illustrated and willbe described in further detail below. Particularly, FIG. 12A illustratesan embodiment of a cellular vane having multiple angled elongatestiffeners oriented and configured so that the angles A2, A3 are inopposite directions and face each other. FIG. 13A illustrates anotherembodiment of a cellular vane having multiple angled elongate stiffenersoriented and configured so that the angles A2 and A3 are in the samedirection. FIG. 14A illustrates an additional embodiment of a cellularvane having multiple angled elongate stiffeners positioned in stiffenerpockets and oriented and configured so that the angles A2 and A3 are inopposite directions and face each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12A-B, and magnified in FIG. 12C, a first angledstiffener 1240 is coupled to and extends along, preferably the entirelength of inner face 1235 of outer vane layer 1232 of multi-layer vane1200. A second angled stiffener 1250 is coupled to outer face 1234 ofinner vane layer 1231 of multi-layer vane 1200. Multi-layered vane 1200may be constructed as illustrated in FIG. 6A-D, 7A-D, 8A-F, or may haveother construction as appreciated by one of skill in the art. At least aportion, or the entirety, of third face 1243 of first angled stiffener1240 may be connected or coupled, directly or indirectly, to inner face1235 of outer vane layer 1232 within outer edge region 1296 of vanelayer 1232, as shown is FIGS. 12B-12C. As shown in FIG. 12C,substantially the entire third face 1243 of angled elongate stiffener1240 is coupled to outer vane layer 1232 via an adhesive attachment 1202in the illustrated embodiment, while substantially the entire fourthface 1244 is not coupled to outer vane layer 1232. At least a portion,or the entirety, of fourth face 1254 of second angled stiffener 1250 maybe connected or coupled to outer face 1234 of inner vane layer 1231within inner edge region 1291 of vane layer 1231, while substantiallythe entire third face 1253 is not coupled to inner vane layer 1231 asshown in FIGS. 12B-12C. The area of attachment for both the first andsecond stiffeners to the vane layers are about half of the respectivewidths of the stiffeners, which in one embodiment is preferably about aslow as 1/16 of an inch to as large as about ⅜ of an inch, and may varytherebetween in increments of about 1/32 of an inch.

First angled stiffener 1240 has an angle A2, between first face 1241 andsecond face 1242, and has a crown height. Second angled stiffener 1250has an angle A3 between first face 1251 and second face 1252, and has acrown height. In the embodiment of FIG. 12A, the angles A2 and A3 of theelongate stiffeners face in different directions, and are oriented awayfrom the vane layer to which each stiffener is connected. The angles A2and A3 of the elongate stiffeners preferably may be as low as about 120degrees and as large as about 170 degrees and may vary therebetween inincrements of about 5 degrees.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 13A, the stiffeners in anotherembodiment may be associated with, disposed along, or coupled, directlyor indirectly to, a multi-layered vane 1330 in a different manner.Multi-layered vane 1330 may be constructed as illustrated in FIG. 6A-D,7A-D, 8A-F, or may have other constructions as appreciated by one ofskill in the art. In the multi-layered vane 1330 of FIG. 13A, at least aportion, or the entirety, of third face 1343 of first angled stiffener1340 may be connected or coupled, directly or indirectly, to inner face1335 of outer vane layer 1332 within outer edge region 1396 of vanelayer 1332 as shown in FIGS. 13B-13C. As illustrated in FIG. 13C,multiple portions making up less than the entirety of third face 1343 ofangled stiffener 1340 are coupled to vane layer 1332 via adhesiveattachments 1304, 1305. At least a portion, or the entirety, of secondface 1352 of second angled stiffener 1350 may be connected or coupled toouter face 1334 of inner vane layer 1331 within inner edge region 1391of the layer 1331 as shown in FIGS. 13B-C.

First angled stiffener 1340 has an angle A2 between first face 1341 andsecond face 1342, and has a crown height and second angled stiffener1350 has an angle A3 between first face 1351 and second face 1352, andhas a crown height. In the embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13A, theangles A2, A3 of elongate stiffeners 1340, 1350 are less than 180degrees, and preferably about 120 degrees to about 170 degrees, and facein the same direction such that the elongate stiffeners can be stackedor nested together when the architectural covering is rolled up.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 14A, the stiffeners in anotherembodiment are associated with, disposed along, or connected indirectlyto, the multi-layered vane 1430 in a different manner. Multi-layeredvane 1430 may be constructed as illustrated in FIGS. 9A-B, but may haveother constructions as appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.In multi-layered vane 1430 of FIG. 14A, and as magnified in FIG. 14C, afirst angled stiffener 1440 is connected to the multi-layered vane 1430by being constrained in a pocket 1461 formed between a first stiffenerpocket sheet 1460 and inner face 1435 of outer vane layer 1432. Firstangled stiffener 1440 is associated with, disposed along, connected to,and/or constrained with respect to outer vane layer 1432 within outeredge region 1496 of vane layer 1432 as shown in FIG. 14B. A secondangled stiffener 1450 is also connected to the multi-layered vane 1430by being constrained in a pocket 1471 formed between a second stiffenerpocket sheet 1470 and outer face 1434 of inner vane layer 1431. Secondangled stiffener 1450 is associated with, disposed along, connected to,and/or constrained with respect to inner vane layer 1431 within inneredge region 1491 of vane layer 1431 as shown in FIGS. 14A-14B.

First face 1441 and second face 1442 of first angled stiffener 1440 forman angle A2 less than 180 degrees that is oriented towards firststiffener pocket sheet 1460, while third face 1443 and fourth face 1444of first angled stiffener 1440 are oriented towards inner face 1435 ofouter vane layer 1432. First face 1451 and second face 1452 of secondangled stiffener 1450 form an angle A3 less than 180 degrees that isoriented towards second stiffener pocket sheet 1470, while third face1453 and fourth face 1454 of second angled stiffener 1450 are orientedtowards outer face 1434 of inner vane layer 1431. In the embodiment ofFIG. 14, angled elongate stiffeners 1440, 1450 preferably areconstrained in respective pockets 1461, 1471 such that they can movelaterally within, but are restrained or prevented from twisting orrotating within, pockets 1461, 1471 such that the orientation of thefaces and angles may alter slightly but is substantially fixed.

The angle of each stiffener and the crown height of each stiffenerfacilitate the formation of a cell between the outer vane layer and theinner vane layer. The connection and orientation of the angledstiffeners, as well as the construction of the vane, also facilitatesformation of the cell. Preferably, the cell extends the length of thevane, and, together with the vane layers, forms a sleeve-like ortube-like structure, preferably with open ends. While the multi-layeredvanes have been shown with an angled stiffener it will be appreciatedthat stiffeners such as those illustrated in FIGS. 11A-D may be used,and other shapes and sizes are contemplated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12C, 13C, 14C, a stiffener may be coupled,directly or indirectly, to a vane along an entire face of the stiffener(FIG. 12C), along a portion or multiple portions of the face of thestiffener (FIG. 13C), or by constrained association (FIG. 14C). Astiffener may be coupled to a vane by an adhesive, one or morefasteners, stitching, three dimensional weaving, welding, constrainingpockets and/or other known methods or methods to be developed in thefuture.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, a stiffener may be coupled to a vanealong a portion or portions of the length of the vane. In otherembodiments, a stiffener may be continuously coupled to a vane along itsentire length. In some embodiments, a stiffener may be intermittentlycoupled to a vane along a portion of, or the entire length of, the vane.The angles A2, A3 as well as the crown height may be different for eachstiffener.

Attachment of Vanes to Tapes

Turning to FIGS. 12B, 13B, 14B, various configurations and embodimentsof a stiffened multi-layered vane are illustrated in exploded views asassociated with and/or connected directly or indirectly to elongatetapes to form various embodiments of a subassembly. Particularly, FIG.12B illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a stiffenedmulti-layered vane, constructed as described and illustrated in FIG.12A, oriented and coupled to multiple elongate tapes; FIG. 13Billustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a stiffenedmulti-layered vane, constructed as described and illustrated in FIG.13A, oriented and coupled to multiple elongate tapes; and FIG. 14Billustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a multi-layered vane,constructed as described and illustrated in FIG. 14A, oriented andcoupled to multiple elongate tapes. FIGS. 12C, 13C, 14C, illustratemagnified views of respective portions of the embodiments of FIGS. 12B,13B, and 14B. It will be appreciated that while much of the descriptionis directed to a stiffened vane, vanes including multi-layered vanesthat do not include elongate stiffeners are contemplated.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 12B, 13B, 14B, the subassembly includesstiffened, multi-layered vanes disposed between and coupled directly toouter elongate tapes and inner elongate tapes. More specifically, thelength of the stiffened, multi-layered vanes are oriented transverselywith respect to a first longitudinal axis X1 of the first inner elongatetape and oriented transversely with respect to a second longitudinalaxis X2 of the first outer elongate tape, preferably with thelongitudinal edges of the multi-layered vane being substantially andpreferably perpendicular to longitudinal axis X1, X2.

Preferably, in the embodiment of FIG. 12B, inner face 1233 of inner vanelayer 1231 is coupled to an area 1218 on outer face 1214 of first innerelongate tape 1210. Preferably, outer face 1236 of outer vane layer 1232is coupled, directly or indirectly, to an area 1229 on inner face 1223of outer elongate tape 1220. More preferably, as illustrated in FIG.12C, due to the attachment 1202 of angled stiffener 1240 to vane 1232and attachment 1201 of tape 1220 to vane 1232 being at least partiallywithin an area of alignment (a-a), the area 1229 of inner face 1223 ofouter elongate tape 1220 is aligned and juxtaposed with third face 1243of first angled stiffener 1240. Similarly, the area 1218 of outer face1214 of inner elongate tape 1210, where inner face 1233 of inner vanelayer 1231 is coupled to inner elongate tape 1210, is preferably alignedand juxtaposed with fourth face 1254 of second angled stiffener 1250.The angles A2, A3 of the elongate stiffeners preferably face indifferent directions and are oriented towards each other as shown inFIG. 12B.

Preferably, in the embodiment of FIG. 13B, inner face 1333 of inner vanelayer 1331 is coupled, directly or indirectly, to an area 1318 of outerface 1314 of first inner elongate tape 1310 and outer face 1336 of outervane layer 1332 is coupled, directly or indirectly, to an area 1329 ofinner face 1323 of outer elongate tape 1320. More preferably, asillustrated in FIG. 13C, due to the attachment of angled stiffener 1340to vane 1332 at areas 1304, 1305 and the attachment of tape 1320 to vane1342 at areas 1301, 1302, 1303 being at least partially within an areaof alignment (a-a), the area 1329 of inner face 1323 of outer elongatetape 1320 is aligned and juxtaposed with third face 1343 of first angledstiffener 1340. Similarly, area 1318 of inner face 1313 of innerelongate tape 1310 where inner face 1333 of inner vane layer 1331 iscoupled to inner elongate tape is preferably aligned and juxtaposed withsecond face 1352 of second angled stiffener 1350. The angles A2, A3 ofelongate stiffeners 1340, 1350 preferably face in the same direction, asshown in FIG. 13A.

Preferably, in the embodiment of FIG. 14B, inner face 1433 of inner vanelayer 1431 is coupled, directly or indirectly, to an area 1418 of outerface 1414 of first inner elongate tape 1410 and outer face 1436 of outervane layer 1432 is coupled, directly or indirectly, to an area 1429 ofinner face 1423 of outer elongate tape 1420. More preferably, asillustrated in FIG. 14C, due to angled stiffener 1440 being constrainedand the attachment of tape 1420 to vane 1442 at areas 1401, 1402, 1403being at least partially within an area of alignment (a-a), the area1429 of inner face 1423 of outer elongate tape 1420 is aligned andjuxtaposed with third face 1443 of first angled stiffener 1440.Similarly, area 1418 of inner face 1413 of inner elongate tape 1410,where inner face 1433 of inner vane layer 1431 is coupled to innerelongate tape 1410, is aligned and juxtaposed with fourth face 1454 ofsecond angled stiffener 1450. The angles A2, A3 of the elongatestiffeners preferably face in different directions and are orientedtowards each other, as shown in FIG. 14B.

In some embodiments a layer of a vane can be coupled, directly orindirectly, to the elongate tapes along a single dimensional contact orbonding area such as, for example, a straight line or dot, or the layerof a vane can be coupled, directly or indirectly, to the tapes along atwo-dimensional contact or bonding area that lies within the plane ofthe tapes. For example, the contact or bonding area can be generallyrectangularly-shaped, triangularly-shaped, “X”-shaped, “L”-shaped, orany other shape as desired. As illustrated in FIG. 12C, an elongate tape1220 may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to vane layer 1232 with asingle attachment 1201. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 13C and14C, an elongate tape may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to vanelayer 1332, 1432 with multiple attachment areas and means, e.g., 1301,1302, 1303, 1401, 1402, and 1403. The flexible material of the vanelayers may be coupled to the tapes by an adhesive (as illustrated inFIGS. 12C and 13C), one or more fasteners such as staples or pins (asillustrated in FIG. 14C), stitching, three-dimensional weaving, welding,and/or other known methods or methods to be developed in the future.

Movement of the inner and outer tapes in relation to each otherfacilitates separating the inner and outer layers of the multi-layeredvane as shown in FIGS. 12D-E, 13D-E, 14D-E such that space (cell) 1280,1380, 1480 can be enlarged and reduced, the vane can be moved and/orpivoted into various positions, and the subassembly can be manipulatedinto various states of expanded and collapsed configurations. FIGS. 12D,13D, 14D illustrate various embodiments of a subassembly with amulti-layered vane in a collapsed or substantially collapsed positionwith the middle regions vertical or substantially vertical, while FIGS.12E, 13E, 14E illustrate the various embodiments of a subassembly with amulti-layered vane in expanded or substantially expanded positions withthe middle regions generally or substantially horizontal. Preferably, inthe fully-unrolled, expanded configuration the subassembly has aplurality of sleeve-like or tube-like structures fully circumscribing aspace or cell along its length that is disposed and extending betweenone or more inner and outer elongate tapes. The cell or space of thesleeve-like or tube-like structures may have any cross-sectional shape.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 12D, 13D, and 14D, the vane layers areconnected to the elongate tapes such that inner edge regions 1291, 1391,1491 of inner vane layers 1231, 1331, 1431 are substantially parallel toa portion (e.g. 1218, 1318, 1418) of inner elongate tapes when themulti-layered vanes are in both the substantially collapsed andsubstantially expanded positions and when at least the middle regions ofthe vanes are both substantially vertical and substantially horizontal.Outer edge regions 1296, 1396, 1496 of outer vane layers 1232, 1332,1432 also are preferably substantially parallel to at least a portion(e.g., 1229, 1329, 1429) of the outer elongate tapes when the vanes arein both the substantially collapsed and substantially expandedpositions. More preferably, third faces 1243, 1343, 1443 of first angledstiffeners 1240, 1340, 1440 are substantially vertical, and fourth faces1254, 1454 of second angled stiffeners 1250, 1450 are substantiallyvertical, when the vanes are in both the substantially collapsed andsubstantially expanded positions as illustrated in FIGS. 12D-E, 13D-Eand 14D-E). The second face 1352 of the second angle stiffener 1350,however, as shown in FIGS. 13D-13E, may not be substantially vertical inthe substantially extended or substantially collapsed positions.

Furthermore, when the vanes are in the substantially collapsed positionas shown in FIGS. 12D, 13D, and 14D, preferably the areas 1229, 1329,1429 of inner faces 1223, 1323, 1423 of the outer elongate tapes arevertically separated from areas 1218, 1318, 1418 of outer faces 1214,1314, 1414 of inner elongate tapes by a distance greater than thehorizontal distance separating the elongate tapes, and preferably middleregions 1294, 1394, 1494 of outer vane layers 1232, 1332, 1432 areseparated from middle regions 1293, 1393, 1493 of inner vane layers1231, 1341, 1441 by a distance smaller than the width of first angledstiffeners 1240, 1340, 1440 and/or the width of second angled stiffeners1250, 1350, 1450. More preferably, when the vanes are in thesubstantially collapsed position, the middle regions of the vane layersare separated by a distance of about the crown height of the firstangled stiffener and/or the crown height of the second angled stiffener.

Furthermore, when the vanes are in the substantially expanded positionas shown in FIGS. 12E, 13E, and 14E, preferably areas 1229, 1329, 1429of inner faces 1223, 1323, 1423 of the outer elongate tapes arevertically separated from areas 1218, 1318, 1418 of outer faces 1214,1314, 1414 of the inner elongate tapes by a distance less than thehorizontal distance separating the elongate tapes, and preferably themiddle regions of the outer vane layers are separated from the middleregions of the inner vane layers by a distance greater than the crownheight of first angled stiffeners 1240, 1340, 1440 and/or the crownheight of second angled stiffeners 1250, 1350, 1450. More preferably,when vanes 1230, 1330, 1430 are in the substantially expanded position,middle regions 1294, 1394, 1494 of outer vane layers 1232, 1332, 1432are separated from middle regions 1293, 1393, 1493 of inner vane layers1231, 1331, 1431 by a distance greater than the width of first angledstiffeners 1240, 1340, 1440 and/or the width of second angled stiffeners1250, 1350, 1450.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, when the subassemblyis in the collapsed configuration and the vanes are in the substantiallycollapsed position (FIG. 12D, 13D, 14D) the material characteristics andangle of angled stiffeners 1240, 1250, 1340, 1350, 1440, 1450 facilitatekeeping vane layers 1231, 1232, 1331, 1332, 1431, 1432 at leastpartially separated by resisting compressional forces acting on the vanelayers and elongate tapes. Furthermore, when the subassembly is movingfrom an unrolled, collapsed configuration (FIGS. 12D, 13D, 14D) to afully-unrolled, expanded configuration (FIG. 12E, 13E, 14E), outerelongate tapes 1220, 1320, 1420 and inner elongate tapes 1210, 1310,1410 move further away from each other, and inner elongate tapes 1210,1310, 1410 may move slightly vertically such that areas 1218, 1318, 1418of inner elongate tapes 1210, 1310, 1410 rises, causing the verticaldistance separating areas 1218, 1318, 1418 of inner elongate tapes 1210,1310, 1410 from areas 1229, 1329, 1429 of outer elongate tapes 1220,1320, 1420 to decrease. When the subassembly is in the fully-unrolled,expanded configuration (FIG. 12E, 13E, 14E), angled stiffeners 1240,1250, 1340, 1350, 1440, 1450 act to cause vane layers 1231, 1232, 1331,1332, 1431, 1432 to separate further due to the material characteristicsand angle of the angled stiffener resisting the gravitational force thatnaturally would cause inner vane layers 1231, 1331, 1431 to fall towardsrespective outer vane layers 1232, 1332, 1432. The larger width of outervane layers 1232, 1332, 1432 as compared to the respective inner vanelayers 1231, 1331, 1431 also facilitates separation of the inner vanelayers from the outer vane layers.

Roll-Up of Covering with Stiffened Multi-Layered Vanes

Operation and use of covering having subassemblies including cellularvanes, elongate tapes and elongate stiffeners as described herein may beprone to potential problems as a result of their construction and methodof operation, which may result in wrinkles and other imperfections, aswell as large and untidy rolls of the light-controlling subassembly.That is, the multiple layers of material from the multi-layered vanes,the elongate tapes and elongate stiffeners may result in a covering thatrolls up very large and untidy. Several techniques discussed below mayprovide possible solutions to the roll-up of the subassemblies describedherein.

For example, when a multi-layered vane is rolled up about the rotationalaxis of a roller, such that the multi-layered vane has an arced shapearound at least a portion of the roller, as shown in FIG. 15, one vanelayer will be located radially inwardly (inner vane or slat layer) fromthe other vane layer (outer vane or slat layer), which may result inwrinkles and buckling of the subassemblies. To inhibit or preventwrinkling or buckling from occurring in the vane layers, the outer vanelayer may have a larger width than the inner vane layer. In theembodiment of FIG. 15, outer vane layer 1532 has a greater width, whichextends between outer longitudinal edge (OLE) and inner longitudinaledge (ILE) of vane 1530, than inner vane layer 1531. The outer vanelayer has a greater width to account for the thickness of the tapes andvane construction (e.g., vane layers 1531, 1532, and optionally one ormore of elongate stiffeners 1540, 1550, and pocket sheets 1560, 1570),which results in a larger circumference for outer vane layer 1532,thereby requiring a larger width to prevent stress and/or stretching ofvane layers, particularly outer vane layer 1532. An exemplary,representative difference in width between an outer vane layer and aninner vane layer for a 1.5-inch diameter roller and an approximately 3.5inch inner vane width would be about 0.06 inches so that the outer vanewidth would be about 3.56 inches. Smaller and larger differences betweenthe width of the inner and outer vane layers is contemplated, and thelarger width of the outer vane layer is readily calculated based on thediameter of the roller and the thickness of the vanes and the tapes. Inother words, the difference in the width between an inner and outer vanelayer may be influenced based upon the diameter of the roller, thethickness of the vanes and tapes, the width of the vanes, and thedesired aesthetics of the vanes. As the thickness of the vanes and tapesincreases, and the diameter of the roller increases, the difference inwidth between the outer and inner vane width may increase.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, a roll-up architectural covering 1600 mayhave a subassembly having inner elongate tapes 1610, outer elongatetapes 1620, a plurality of vanes 1630, a plurality of first elongatestiffeners 1640, and a plurality of second elongate stiffeners 1650,that is rolled about a roller 1660. The numerous layers of material andbulk of material can create a large diameter and mass of materials to behidden by the head rail. The radius of rollup RR for first vane 1630 isapproximately the same radius of curvature as the roller 1660, but theradius grows for every additional vane. When the subassembly is in arolled configuration, or in a partially unrolled-collapsedconfiguration, the plurality of vanes may overlap one another as thevanes are rolled around the roller. When rolled about the roller, innerelongate tape 1610 having a first end 1611 is located radially inwardalong the radius of rollup RR from the corresponding portion of outerelongate tape 1630, having a first end 1621. To minimize the size of thesubassembly when rolled about the roller 1660, the respective stiffeners1650, 1640′ of adjacent vanes 1630, 1630′ may be positioned about theroller such that a first elongate stiffener 1640′ is aligned with andoverlaps with a second elongate stiffener 1650 along the radius ofrollup in a compact manner as illustrated in FIG. 16. Second vane 1630′partially overlaps the adjacent first vane 1630 within a first area ofoverlap 1601. Third vane 1630″ partially overlaps the adjacent secondvane 1630′ within a second area of overlap 1602. Fourth vane 1630′″partially overlaps the adjacent third vane 1630″ within a third area ofoverlap 1603. In some embodiments, such alignment of respective firstand second stiffeners may result in the subassembly rolling up about theroller in a more compact or neat fashion, such that when the subassemblyis fully rolled-up about the roller the circumference of the subassemblymay be reduced.

Design and Construction of the Roller

In some embodiments, the roller may include an optional door. FIGS.17A-17B illustrate an embodiment where a door 1700 may be provided onthe body of roller 1720. The door may be provided and connected toroller 1720 so that it may open or close (e.g., pivot) by gravitationalforces. In one embodiment, the door may have a track 1704 such that atleast one insert 1780, for example, a stiffener, can be disposed intrack 1704 provided in door 1700. In accordance with a preferredembodiment as illustrated in the FIGS. 17A-17B, door 1700 has a lengthdefined by first end 1722 and second end 1724 of roller 1720, a radialcurvature that substantially matches that of roller 1720, an inner end1701, an outer end 1702, and a width that is defined between inner end1701 and outer end 1702. The radial curvature of door 1700 may form aconcave inner face 1708 and a convex outer face 1709 on door 1700. Asillustrated in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 17A, door 1700 can becoupled to roller 1720 via a latch element 1705 at inner end 1701 of thedoor, for example, a concavely curved inner end 1705A of door 1700 thatis received into a receiving cavity 1705B of roller 1720. Outer end 1702of door 1700 can be detached from roller 1720 along its length so thatthe door may freely swing open while the door 1700 remains coupled tothe roller at its inner end 1701 via latch element 1705. Door 1700 canbe further operable to close by rotating about latch element 1705 sothat outer end 1702 of the door 1700 moves toward roller 1720.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 17A,a raised ridge 1703 can be integrally provided on concave inner face1708 of door 1700 along length of door 1700 whereby ridge 1703 and outerend 1702 of the door 1700 form a “C”-shaped track 1704 along length ofthe door 1700.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, asillustrated in FIG. 17B, a “C”-shaped receiving track 1710 can beintegrally provided on (e.g., formed into) the body of roller 1720 thathas a length defined by first end 1722 and second end 1724 of roller1720, a radial curvature that substantially matches the curvature ofroller 1720, a first end 1706, a second end 1707, and a width definedbetween first end 1706 and second end 1707 of receiving track 1710. Asillustrated in FIG. 17C, receiving track 1710 on roller 1720 canaccommodate at least one insert 1780′ (not visible) covered by a portionof a vane 1790 such that the insert covered with vane 1790 can bedisposed in receiving track 1710 for a portion of or the entire lengthof receiving track 1710 and vane 1790 overlaying insert 1780′ is coupledto an inner face of an outer elongate tape 1740 by, for example, staples1742. Elongate tape 1740 may be coupled to insert 1780′ by other meanssuch as gluing, stitching, tacking, pinning, fusing, welding or othermeans now known or later developed.

As illustrated in detail in FIG. 17D, at second end 1724 of roller 1720,in accordance with one embodiment, a track 1704 on door 1700 canaccommodate at least one insert 1780, for example, an elongatestiffener, such that insert 1780 can be disposed in track 1704 for aportion of or the entire length of the track, and insert 1780 can becoupled to an outer face of an inner elongate tape 1730, for example, bystaple 1741. Elongate tape 1730 may be coupled to insert 1780 by othermeans such as gluing, stitching, tacking, pinning, fusing, welding orother means now known or later developed. In one embodiment, insert 1780may be covered by a flexible fabric overlay.

FIGS. 17E-17H depict progressive views of an embodiment of a roll-upcovering that includes a door as illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17B in aprocess of opening from a closed position. In accordance with theillustrated embodiment, when door 1700 on roller 1720 is in a closedposition against roller 1720, track 1704 on door 1700 is adjacent totrack 1710 along the circumference of roller 1720. In a closed positionin FIG. 17E, the roll-up covering has at least one insert 1780 disposedin track 1704 of door 1700 and at least one insert 1780′ disposed intrack 1710 of the roller 1720. Insert 1780 disposed in track 1704 isassociated with and/or coupled, directly or indirectly, to an innerelongate tape 1730, and insert 1780′ disposed in track 1710 isassociated with and/or coupled, directly or indirectly, to an outerelongate tape 1740. Each insert 1780, 1780′ may be covered withrespective fabric overlays. Inner elongate tape 1730 may be associatedwith and/or coupled to door 1720 by other means and outer elongate tape1740 may be associated with and/or coupled to the roller by other means,such as by a fastener, glue, stitching, or other methods of attachmentnow know or later developed.

As further illustrated in FIG. 17F, when the subassembly is fullyunrolled from the roller, as roller 1720 further unwinds in thedirection of the arrow, door 1700 initially opens such that outer end1702 becomes detached or separated from the body of roller 1720 and door1700 pivots about latch element 1705 which remains coupled to or hookedin receiving cavity 1705B (shown in FIG. 17A) via concavely curved innerend 1705A (shown in FIG. 17A). As also shown in FIG. 17F, when door 1700is in an initial open position as illustrated, slack from inner elongatetape 1730 hangs from insert 1780 and buckled portion 1750 of innerelongate tape 1730 may become transverse to and/or substantiallyperpendicular to outer elongate tape 1740.

In the embodiment of FIG. 17G, as roller 1720 further rotates in thedirection of the arrow and door 17″ pivots to an open position where itis substantially perpendicular to roller 1720, elongate tapes 1730, 1740separate such that the middle portion of the top most vane 1760 is nolonger substantially parallel to tapes 1730, 1740, and the plurality ofvanes move into an expanded position.

As show in FIG. 17H, when roller 1720 further rotates in the directionof the arrow, door 1700 becomes substantially horizontal andsubstantially parallel to upper most vane 1760 of roll-up covering, anddoor 1700 maintains the covering in a fully expanded position with themiddle region of the vanes transverse to and preferably substantiallyperpendicular to elongate tapes 1730, 1740 and with the inner elongatetape 1730 fully separated from and parallel to outer elongate tape 1740.It will be appreciated that use of a door within the roller can helpfacilitate spacing the inner tapes from the outer tapes, due to the doorincreasing the effective diameter of the roller, which may permit theuse of vanes between the inner and outer elongate tapes that are widerthan the diameter of the roller and still maintain the light controllingbenefits and desired aesthetics of the subassembly and architecturalcovering.

Method of Construction

A method of constructing a stiffened multi-layered vane for use within aroll-up cellular architectural covering is illustrated in FIGS. 18A-D. Afirst piece of vane material 1810 and a second piece of vane material1820 are cut to size: each piece of material having a first end 1811,1821; a second end 1812, 1822; a first longitudinal edge 1813, 1823; asecond longitudinal edge 1814, 1824; a width 1815, 1825 extendingbetween first longitudinal edge 1813, 1823 and respective secondlongitudinal edge 1814, 1824; a length 1816, 1826 extending betweenfirst end 1811, 1821 and respective second end 1812, 1822, a first face1817, 1827 defined by the surface defined by length 1816, 1826 and width1815, 1825, a second opposite face 1818, 1828 defined by the surfacedefined by length 1816, 1826 and width 1815, 1825, and a thicknessdefined by the distance between first faces 1817, 1827 and therespective opposite second faces 1818, 1828. Second piece of material1820 preferably has a larger width 1825 than the width 1815 of firstpiece of material 1810. The first and second pieces of material may berelatively thin compared to either their width or length.

A first sheet of pocket material 1870 and a second sheet of pocketmaterial 1860 optionally may also be provided and are also cut to size:each sheet having a first end 1871, 1861; a second end 1872, 1862; afirst longitudinal edge 1873, 1863; a second longitudinal edge 1874,1864; a width 1875, 1865 extending between first longitudinal edge 1873,1863 and respective second longitudinal edge 1874, 1864; and a length1876, 1866 extending between first end 1871, 1861 and respective secondend 1862, 1872; and a thickness. A first angled stiffener 1840 and asecond angled stiffener 1850 may be provided and may be constructed asdescribed and illustrated with respect to FIGS. 10E-F and 11A-11C, suchthat each angled stiffener 1840, 1850 has an angle A2, A3 between arespective first face 1841, 1851 and a respective second 1842, 1852face, that is less than 180 degrees, while each stiffener also has arespective third face 1843, 1853 and respective fourth face 1844, 1854.

First pocket sheet 1870 is creased, folded, and/or heat set along itslength to create a fold line 1877 and an area 1878 between longitudinaledge 1873 and fold line 1877. First sheet 1870 is coupled, directly orindirectly, to second face 1818 of first piece of vane material 1810within area 1878 as shown in FIG. 18B such that the distance betweenfold line 1877 and first longitudinal edge 1813 of first piece of vanematerial 1810 is greater than the distance between first longitudinaledge 1873 of first pocket sheet 1870 and first longitudinal edge 1813 offirst piece of vane material 1810. Second pocket sheet 1860 is creased,folded, and/or heat set along its length 1866 to create a fold line 1867and an area 1868 between first longitudinal edge 1863 and fold line1867. Second pocket sheet 1860 is coupled, directly or indirectly, tofirst face 1827 of second piece of vane material 1820 within area 1868as shown in FIG. 18B such that the distance between fold line 1867 andsecond longitudinal edge 1824 of second piece of vane material 1820 isgreater than the distance between first longitudinal edge 1863 of secondpocket sheet 1860 and second longitudinal edge 1824 of second piece ofvane material 1820. In one embodiment, the areas 1868, 1878 of pocketsheets 1860, 1870 are coupled, directly or indirectly, to faces 1818,1827 of the pieces of vane material 1810, 1820 material via ultrasonicweld or hot knife cut-seal.

Then first elongate stiffener 1840 is positioned adjacent first face1827 of second piece of vane material 1820 with angle A2 less than 180degrees facing toward first piece of vane material 1810. Second pocketsheet 1860 is wrapped, preferably about 180 degrees, around firstelongate stiffener 1840 such that second longitudinal edge 1864 ofsecond pocket sheet 1860 is aligned with and at second longitudinal edge1824 of second piece of vane material 1820 as shown in FIG. 18C. In thismanner, the faces of first elongate stiffener 1840 are surrounded andencompassed by second piece of vane material 1820 and second pocketsheet 1860, and the angle A2, preferably less than 180 degrees, betweenfirst face 1841 and second face 1842 of first angled stiffener 1840faces second pocket sheet 1860. Similarly, second elongate stiffener1850 is positioned adjacent second face 1818 of first piece of vanematerial 1810 with angle A3, preferably less than 180 degrees, facingtoward second piece of material 1820. First pocket sheet 1870 iswrapped, preferably about 180 degrees, around second elongate stiffener1850 such that second longitudinal edge 1874 of first pocket sheet 1870is aligned with and at first longitudinal edge 1814 of first piece ofvane material 1810 as shown in FIG. 18C. In this manner, the faces ofsecond elongate stiffener 1850 are surrounded and encompassed by firstpiece of vane material 1810 and first pocket sheet 1870, and the angleA3 between first face 1851 and second face 1852 of second angledstiffener 1850 faces first pocket sheet 1870.

Second longitudinal edges 1814, 1824, 1864 of first piece of vanematerial 1810, second piece of vane material 1820, and second pocketsheet 1860 are then coupled together, for example by ultra-soniccut-welding at a linear ultra-sonic cut weld seam along secondlongitudinal edges 1814, 1824, 1864 to create first stiffener pocket1869 as shown in FIG. 18D. Similarly, first longitudinal edges 1813,1823 of first piece of vane material 1810 and second piece of vanematerial 1820, and second longitudinal edge 1874 of first pocket sheet1870 are coupled together for example by ultra-sonic cut welding at alinear ultra-sonic cut weld seam along respective longitudinal edges1813, 1823, 1874 to create a second stiffener pocket 1879 as shown inFIG. 18D.

A stiffened multi-layered vane 1830 is formed by attaching thelongitudinal edges of the pieces of material, such that themulti-layered vane has an inner vane layer 1831, an outer vane layer1832, a first pocket sheet 1870, a second pocket sheet 1860, a firstangled stiffener 1840, and a second angled stiffener 1850. First angledstiffener 1840 is located within first pocket 1869 between inner face1835 of outer vane layer 1832 and second pocket sheet 1860, and secondangled stiffener 1850 is located within second pocket 1879 between outerface 1834 of inner vane layer 1831 and first pocket sheet 1870, with theangles A2, A3 of angled stiffeners 1840, 1850, preferably less than 180degrees, facing the respective stiffener pocket sheets 1860, 1870 andoriented in opposite directions. In this embodiment, outer vane layer1832 has a width between longitudinal edges 1837, 1838 of cellular vane1830 that is greater than the width of inner vane layer 1831 betweenlongitudinal edges 1837, 1838 of cellular vane 1830. In this embodiment,multi-layered vane 1830 has a space (cell) 1880 between outer face 1834of inner vane layer 1831, inner face 1835 of outer vane layer 1832,first pocket sheet 1860, and second pocket sheet 1870.

Constructed as described above, a multi-layered vane 1830, havingmultiple angled elongate stiffeners 1860, 1870 within stiffener pockets1869, 1879, is stiffened such that when coupled, directly or indirectly,to elongate tapes (as described above in relation to FIG. 14B) as partof a subassembly, the stiffened multi-layered vane 1830 will be capableof moving and/or pivoting from a substantially collapsed position to asubstantially expanded position as the configuration of the subassembly,and the positions of the vanes, change between collapsed and expandedconfigurations. The pockets 1869, 1879 constrain and maintain theorientation of the angled elongate stiffeners 1860, 1870 with respect toone another and with respect to the other components of the subassemblyby inhibiting and/or preventing angled stiffeners 1860, 1870 fromtwisting and/or rotating while permitting angled stiffeners 1860, 1870of vanes 1830 to move laterally to some extent in the length directionwithin the respective stiffener pockets 1869, 1879 such that angledstiffeners 1860, 1870 may expand and contract at different rates thanthe vanes, thereby avoiding wrinkling, bulging, and other unsightlydeformations of the vane material that may be caused by differentthermal rates of expansion between the stiffener and vane materials.

Both the length and the width of a roll-up architectural covering arereadily customizable. The length is readily controllable by selectingthe desired number of vanes, and the width is readily controllable byselecting the desired vane length (the vane is cut from a continuousroll of vane material) to match the desired roll-up covering width. Theroll-up covering length is further customizable because the vane spacingneed not be determined by ladders or any other pre-existing elements ofthe roll-up covering. Instead, the vanes may be placed at any desiredpoints along the length of the tapes (or other support elements) toachieve the desired roll-up covering length and vane spacing. Theoverall spacing between adjacent vanes may be uniform or non-uniform, asdesired, but, is customizable, such as based on the overall final customlength of the roll-up covering. The number of vanes preferably isselected to provide sufficient vanes along the length of the roll-uparchitectural covering so that the vanes will provide the desired lightaltering effect when the roll-up covering is in the variousconfigurations. One manner of providing customized window covering isdescribed in PCT/US2015/049444 entitled Roll-Up Coverings forArchitectural Openings and Related Methods, Systems and Devices, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept. It is understood, therefore, that this invention isnot limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intendedto cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention.While fundamental features of the invention have been shown anddescribed in exemplary embodiments, it will be understood thatomissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of thedisclosed embodiments of the architectural covering may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.Moreover, the scope of the invention covers conventionally known, futuredeveloped variations and modifications to the components describedherein as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the architectural coveringhas many applications, may be implemented in various manners and, assuch is not to be limited by the foregoing embodiments and examples. Anynumber of the features of the different embodiments described herein maybe combined into a single embodiment. The locations of particularelements, for example the elongate tapes and/or stiffeners may bealtered. Alternate embodiments are possible that have additionalfeatures than those described or may have less than all the featuresdescribed. Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributedamong multiple components, in manners now known or to become known.

To avoid any ambiguity in the scope of protection sought, terms andphrases which are not explicitly defined should be given their broadestreasonable interpretation. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unlessthe context clearly indicates otherwise. It is intended that the scopeof the invention not be limited by the examples described but rather bedefined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A covering for controlling transmission oflight through an architectural feature, the covering comprising: asubassembly, the subassembly comprising: at least a first outer elongatetape having a first end, a second end, a length extending between thefirst end and the second end, and a lateral width perpendicular to thelength; at least a first inner elongate tape having a first end, asecond end, a length extending between the first end of the first innerelongate tape and the second end of the first inner elongate tape, and alateral width perpendicular to the length of the first inner elongatetape; a plurality of flexible slats, each slat having a first slat end,a second slat end, an inner longitudinal edge, an outer longitudinaledge, a slat length extending between the first slat end and the secondslat end, and a slat width extending between the inner longitudinal edgeand the outer longitudinal edge, the plurality of slats disposed betweenand spaced apart along the respective lengths of the first outerelongate tape and the first inner elongate tape, each said slat lengthof each said slat oriented with the slat's length transverse to therespective lengths of the first outer elongate tape and the first innerelongate tape, the inner and outer elongate tapes configured to move tomanipulate the plurality of flexible slats between multiple positions;and at least a first angled elongate stiffener having a length extendingthe length of at least one of the plurality of flexible slats andconfigured to support at least one of the outer or inner longitudinaledges of the at least one of the plurality of flexible slats, the atleast said first angled elongate stiffener having a first surface, asecond surface opposite the first surface, and a crease extending thelength of the at least said first angled elongate stiffener, the atleast said first angled elongate stiffener further having a first faceof the first surface extending between a first side and the crease, asecond face of the first surface extending between a second side and thecrease, a third face of the second surface extending between the firstside and the crease, a fourth face of the second side extending betweenthe second side and the crease, and an angle between the first face andthe second face of less than 180 degrees, wherein: the at least one ofthe plurality of flexible slats is-comprises a multilayered slat havingan inner slat layer and an outer slat layer, the inner slat layer havinginner and outer longitudinal edges and the outer slat layer having innerand outer longitudinal edges, the inner slat layer and the outer slatlayer coupled along their respective inner and outer longitudinal edges,the inner and outer slat layers being separable from each other betweentheir coupled longitudinal edges to form a cell space circumscribed bythe inner slat layer and the outer slat layer when the multilayer slatis in at least one of the multiple positions; the at least said firstangled elongate stiffener is directly attached to at least one of theinner slat layer longitudinal edges or the outer slat layer longitudinaledges, and the length of each flexible slat is substantially greaterthan the sum of the widths selected from the group consisting of (a) allthe inner elongate tapes, and (b) all the outer elongate tapes.
 2. Thecovering according to claim 1, wherein the width of each of the firstinner elongate tape and the first outer elongate tape is from about 5 mmto about 100 mm.
 3. The covering according to claim 1, wherein the innerslat layer and the outer slat layer of the multilayered slat are coupledto each other by a different coupling mechanism than the multilayeredslat is coupled to at least one of the at least first inner or the atleast first outer elongate tapes.
 4. The covering according to claim 1,wherein a fold line forms along at least one of the inner longitudinaledges and the outer longitudinal edges of the inner and outer slatlayers of the at least one multilayered slat.
 5. The covering accordingto claim 1, wherein the subassembly further comprises: a second innerelongate tape and a second outer elongate tape, the second innerelongate tape is laterally spaced apart from the first inner elongatetape along the length of at least one of the plurality of flexible slatsby a distance as low as about 6 inches to as high as about 24 inches;and the second outer elongate tape is laterally spaced apart from thefirst outer elongate tape along the length of at least one of theplurality of flexible slats by a distance as low as about 6 inches to ashigh as about 24 inches.
 6. The covering according to claim 1, whereinthe inner slat layer has a width extending from the inner longitudinaledge to the outer longitudinal edge of the inner slat layer, and theouter slat layer has a width extending from the inner longitudinal edgeto the outer longitudinal edge of the outer slat layer, and the width ofat least one of the inner and the outer slat layer of the multilayeredslat is greater than the width of the other of the inner and outer slatlayer of that same multilayered slat.
 7. The covering according to claim1, wherein: the first inner elongate tape further comprises an innerface defined by a surface defined by the length and the width of thefirst inner elongate tape, an outer face defined by a surface defined bythe length and the width of the first inner elongate tape, the innerface and the outer face of the first inner elongate tape separated bythe thickness of the first inner elongate tape; the first outer elongatetape further comprises an inner face defined by a surface defined by thelength and the width of the first outer elongate tape, an outer facedefined by a surface defined by the length and the width of the firstouter elongate tape, the inner face and the outer face of the firstouter elongate tape separated by the thickness of the first outerelongate tape; the inner slat layer has a width extending from the innerlongitudinal edge to the outer longitudinal edge of the inner slatlayer, an inner face defined by a surface defined by the length and thewidth of the inner slat layer, and an outer face defined by an oppositesurface defined by the length and the width of the inner slat layer; andthe outer slat layer has a width extending from the inner longitudinaledge to the outer longitudinal edge of the outer slat layer, an innerface defined by a surface defined by the length and the width of theouter slat layer and an outer face defined by an opposite surfacedefined by the length and the width of the outer slat layer, the innerslat layer and the outer slat layer arranged and configured so that theouter face of the inner slat layer is oriented and faces toward theinner face of the outer slat layer; wherein the outer face of the outerslat layer of the multilayered slat is connected to the inner face ofthe first outer elongate tape, and the inner face of the inner slatlayer of the multilayered slat is connected to the outer face of thefirst inner elongate tape.
 8. The covering according to claim 1,wherein: the inner slat layer of the multilayered slat further includesan inner edge region extending along the inner longitudinal edge of theinner slat layer and defined by the length of the inner slat layer and afirst portion of the width of the inner slat layer, an outer edge regionextending along the outer longitudinal edge of the inner slat layer anddefined by the length of the inner slat layer and a second portion ofthe width of the inner slat layer, and a middle region extending betweenthe inner edge region and the outer edge region and defined by thelength of the inner slat layer and a third portion of the width of theinner slat layer; the outer slat layer of the multilayered slat furtherincludes an inner edge region extending along the inner longitudinaledge of the outer slat layer and defined by the length of the outer slatlayer and a first portion of the width of the outer slayer, an outeredge region extending along the outer longitudinal edge of the outerslat layer and defined by the length of the outer slat layer and asecond portion of the width of the outer slat layer, and a middle regionextending between the inner edge region and the outer edge region anddefined by the length of the outer slat layer and a third portion of thewidth of the outer slat layer that is greater than both the firstportion of the width and the second portion of the width of the outerslat layer; the inner edge region of the inner slat layer is parallel tothe length of the inner elongate tape, and the outer edge region of theouter slat layer is parallel to the length of the outer elongate tape;and at least one of the inner edge region and the outer edge region ofthe inner slat layer and the inner edge region and the outer edge regionof the outer slat layer being stiffened by at least the first angledelongate stiffener.
 9. The covering according to claim 8, wherein thesubassembly is in an expanded configuration when the inner elongate tapeand outer elongate tape are positioned away from each other and areseparated by a distance, wherein when the subassembly is in the expandedconfiguration the middle regions of the inner and outer slat layers ofthe multilayered salt are substantially horizontal, are transverse tothe lengths of the first inner elongate and the first outer elongatetapes, and are separated by a distance to form a space between the innerslat layer and the outer slat layer that extends the length of the atleast one multilayered slat, the distance between the middle regions ofthe inner and outer slat layers being greater than the width of the atleast one elongate stiffener.
 10. The covering according to claim 1,wherein the first angled elongate stiffener has a thicknessperpendicular to its length, and the length of the first angled elongatestiffener is at least 100 times larger than its thickness, and thestiffener is associated with at least one of the inner slat layer or theouter slat layer and positioned so that the length of the first angledelongate stiffener extends in the direction of the longitudinal edge ofthe associated at least one inner slat layer or the outer slat layer.11. The covering according to claim 10, wherein the inner slat layer andthe outer slat layer of the multilayered slat are formed of flexibletranslucent materials selected from at least one of the group consistingof fabrics, films, and combinations thereof, and the first angledelongate stiffener is formed of a material more transparent than thetranslucent materials of at least one of the inner slat layer and theouter slat layer of the multilayered slat.
 12. The covering according toclaim 10, wherein the first angled elongate stiffener is formed ofplastic material.
 13. The covering according to claim 10, wherein thethickness of the first angled elongate stiffener is from about 6thousandths of an inch to about 30 thousandths of an inch, and the widthof the first angled elongate stiffener is from about 3/16 of an inch toabout 1 inch.
 14. The covering according to claim 1, wherein the anglebetween the first face and the second face is as low as about 120degrees to as large as about 170 degrees, and the crease of the firstangled elongate stiffener has a peak on the second surface, and thefirst angled elongate stiffener has a crown height extending between apeak of the crease and a plane formed by the first side and the secondside of the first angled elongate stiffener, wherein the crown height isfrom as low as about 20 thousands of an inch to as large as about 100thousandths of an inch.
 15. The covering according to claim 1, whereinat least a portion of the fourth face of the first angled elongatestiffener is coupled to the inner slat layer of the multilayered slatand the third face of the first angled elongate stiffener is notattached to either one of the inner slat layer or the outer slat layerof that multilayered slat.
 16. The covering according to claim 1,wherein a second elongate stiffener is associated with the multilayeredslat and is positioned so that a length of the second elongate stiffenerextends in the direction of the longitudinal edges of the inner and theouter slat layers of the multilayered slat, the second elongatestiffener configured to support at least one of the longitudinal edgesof at least one of the inner slat layer or the outer slat layer, thesecond elongate stiffener having a first side, a second side, a widthextending between the first side and the second side and perpendicularto length of the second elongate stiffener, a thickness extending in adirection perpendicular to the width and perpendicular to the length ofthe second elongate stiffener, the width of the second elongatestiffener being at least 5 times larger than the thickness of the secondelongate stiffener.
 17. The covering according to claim 16, wherein thesecond elongate stiffener has a first surface defined by the length andthe width of the second elongate stiffener, and a second surface definedby the length and width of the second elongate stiffener, the firstsurface of the second elongate stiffener being opposite the secondsurface of the second elongate stiffener and separated by the thicknessof the second elongate stiffener, wherein the second elongate stiffeneris an angled stiffener having a crease extending between a first end anda second end of the second elongate stiffener, a first face defined by afirst portion of the first surface between the first side and thecrease, a second face defined by a second portion of the first surfacebetween the second side and the crease, a third face defined by a thirdportion of the second surface between the first side and the crease, afourth face defined by a fourth portion of the second surface betweenthe second side and the crease, and an angle between the first face andthe second face of less than 180 degrees.
 18. The covering according toclaim 17, wherein at least a portion of the third face of the secondangled elongate stiffener is attached to the outer slat layer of themultilayered slat and the fourth face of the second elongated stiffeneris not attached to the outer slat layer of the multilayered slat. 19.The covering according to claim 1, wherein the multilayered slat furthercomprises: at least a first stiffener pocket sheet having a first end, asecond end, a first stiffener pocket sheet longitudinal edge, a secondstiffener pocket sheet longitudinal edge, a length extending between thefirst end and the second end of the first stiffener pocket sheet, and awidth extending between the first stiffener pocket sheet longitudinaledge and the second stiffener pocket sheet longitudinal edge; the firststiffener pocket sheet coupled to at least one of the inner slat layeror the outer slat layer of the multilayered slat and forming at least afirst stiffener pocket between that at least one of the inner slat layeror outer slat layer and the first stiffener pocket sheet; and wherein atleast a portion of the first angled elongate stiffener is positionedwithin the first stiffener pocket.
 20. The covering according to claim19, wherein the first stiffener pocket sheet is formed of asubstantially transparent material.
 21. The covering according to claim19, wherein the first stiffener pocket sheet is coupled to the outerslat layer of the multilayered slat.
 22. The covering according to claim19, wherein the first pocket sheet is coupled to the inner slat layer ofthe multi-layered slat.
 23. The covering according to claim 19, whereinthe first stiffener pocket sheet further comprises a fold line extendingbetween the first end and the second end, and a contact area between thefold line and the longitudinal edge of the first stiffener pocket sheet;wherein the contact area of the first stiffener pocket sheet is coupledto the inner slat layer of the multilayered slat with the innerlongitudinal edge of the inner slat layer closer to the first stiffenerpocket sheet longitudinal edge than the fold line of the first stiffenerpocket sheet.
 24. A covering for controlling transmission of lightthrough an architectural feature, the covering comprising: asubassembly, the subassembly comprising: at least a first outer elongatetape having a first end, a second end, a length extending between thefirst end and the second end, and a lateral width perpendicular to thelength of the first outer elongate tape; at least a first inner elongatetape having a first end, a second end, a length extending between thefirst end of the first inner elongate tape and the second end of thefirst inner elongate tape, and a lateral width perpendicular to thelength of the first inner elongate tape; a plurality of flexible slats,each flexible slat having a first slat end, a second slat end, an innerlongitudinal slat edge, an outer longitudinal slat edge, a slat lengthextending between the first slat end and the second slat end of eachslat and, a slat width extending between the inner longitudinal slatedge and the outer longitudinal slat edge, the plurality of flexibleslats disposed between and spaced apart along the respective lengths ofthe first outer elongate tape and the first inner elongate tape, eachflexible slat oriented with its slat length transverse to the respectivelengths of the first outer elongate tape and the first inner elongatetape, the inner and the outer elongate tapes configured to move tomanipulate the plurality of flexible slats between multiple positions;and a plurality of elongate stiffeners, each elongate stiffener having afirst stiffener end, a second stiffener end, a first stiffener side, asecond stiffener side, a stiffener length extending between the firststiffener end and the second stiffener end, and a stiffener widthextending between the first stiffener side and the second stiffenerside; wherein at least one of the plurality of flexible slats comprisesa multilayered slat, the multilayered slat comprising: an inner slatlayer, an outer slat layer, and at least two of the elongate stiffenersof the plurality of elongate stiffeners; the inner slat layer having aninner face defined by a surface defined by an inner slat layer lengthand an inner slat layer width of the inner slat layer, and an outer facedefined by an opposite surface defined by the inner slat layer lengthand the inner slat layer width of the inner slat layer, the inner slatlayer having an inner longitudinal edge and an outer longitudinal edgeextending the length of the inner slat layer; the outer slat layerhaving an inner face defined by a surface defined by an outer slat layerlength and an outer slat layer width of the outer slat layer, and anouter face defined by an opposite surface defined by the outer slatlayer length and the outer slat layer width of the outer slat layer, theouter slat layer having an inner longitudinal edge and an outerlongitudinal edge extending the length of the outer slat layer; theinner slat layer and the outer slat layer of the multilayered slat areeach configured and connected to each other along their respective innerlongitudinal edges and their respective outer longitudinal edges withthe outer face of the inner slat layer and the inner face of the outerslat layer oriented and facing towards each other; the inner slat layerand the outer slat layer arranged and configured to be separable inregions between their respective inner and outer longitudinal edges toform a space between the outer face of the inner slat layer and theinner face of the outer slat layer that extends the length of themultilayered slat when the multilayered slat is in at least one of themultiple positions; a first one of the at least two elongate stiffenersis associated with and positioned so the stiffener length of the firstone of the at least two elongate stiffeners extends in a direction of,along, and on one of the inner or outer longitudinal edges of the innerslat layer, and a second one of the at least two elongate stiffeners isassociated with and positioned so the stiffener length of the second oneof the at least two elongate stiffeners extends in a direction of,along, and on the other one of the inner or outer longitudinal edges ofthe outer slat layer; and the inner slat layer of the multilayered slatis attached to the first inner elongate tape, and the outer slat layerof the multilayered slat is attached to the first outer elongate tape.25. A covering for controlling transmission of light through anarchitectural feature, the covering comprising: a subassembly, thesubassembly comprising: at least a first outer elongate tape having afirst end, a second end, a length extending between the first end andthe second end of the first outer elongate tape, and a lateral widthperpendicular to the length of the first outer elongate tape; at least afirst inner elongate tape having a first end, a second end, a lengthextending between the first end of the first inner elongate tape and thesecond end of the first inner elongate tape, and a lateral widthperpendicular to the length of the first inner elongate tape; aplurality of flexible slats, each flexible slat having a first slat end,a second slat end, an inner longitudinal slat edge, an outerlongitudinal slat edge, a slat length extending between the first slatend and the second slat end and, a slat width extending between theinner longitudinal slat edge and the outer longitudinal slat edge, theplurality of flexible slats disposed between and spaced apart along therespective lengths of the first outer elongate tape and the first innerelongate tape, each said flexible slat length of each said flexible slatoriented with the slat's length transverse to the respective lengths ofthe first outer elongate tape and the first inner elongate tape, theinner and the outer elongate tapes configured to move to manipulate theplurality of flexible slats between multiple positions; and at least afirst relatively thin elongate stiffener having a first stiffener end, asecond stiffener end, a first stiffener side, a second stiffener side, astiffener length extending between the first stiffener end and thesecond stiffener end, and a stiffener width extending between the firststiffener side and the second stiffener side, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of flexible slats comprises a multilayered slat, themultilayered slat comprising: an inner flexible slat layer, an outerflexible slat layer, and at least a first stiffener pocket sheet; theinner flexible slat layer having an inner face defined by a surfacedefined by an inner slat layer length and an inner slat layer width ofthe inner flexible slat layer, and an outer face defined by an oppositesurface defined by the inner slat layer length and the inner slat layerwidth of the inner flexible slat layer, the inner flexible slat layerhaving an inner longitudinal edge and an outer longitudinal edgeextending the length of the inner flexible slat layer; the outerflexible slat layer having an inner face defined by a surface defined byan outer slat layer length and an outer slat layer width of the outerflexible slat layer, and an outer face defined by an opposite surfacedefined by the outer slat layer length and the outer slat layer width ofthe outer flexible slat layer, the outer flexible slat layer having aninner longitudinal edge and an outer longitudinal edge extending thelength of the outer flexible slat layer; the inner flexible slat layerand the outer flexible slat layer each configured and connected to eachother with the outer face of the inner flexible slat layer and the innerface of the outer flexible slat layer oriented and facing towards eachother; the first stiffener pocket sheet having a first stiffener pocketsheet end, a second stiffener pocket sheet end, a first longitudinalstiffener pocket sheet edge, a second longitudinal stiffener pocketsheet edge, a stiffener pocket sheet length extending between the firststiffener pocket sheet end and the second stiffener pocket sheet end,and a stiffener pocket sheet width extending between the firstlongitudinal stiffener pocket edge and the second longitudinal stiffenerpocket edge; the first stiffener pocket sheet connected to at least oneof the inner and the outer flexible slat layers and forming at least afirst stiffener pocket between at least one of the inner flexible slatlayer and the outer flexible slat layer, and the first stiffener pocketsheet; and the inner flexible slat layer and the outer flexible slatlayer arranged and configured to be separable from each other in regionsbetween the respective inner and outer longitudinal slat edges to form aspace between the outer face of the inner flexible slat layer and theinner face of the outer flexible slat layer that extends the length ofthe multilayered slat when the multilayered slat is in at least one ofthe multiple positions, wherein at least a portion of the first elongatestiffener is positioned within the first stiffener pocket so that thefirst elongate stiffener extends along, is in contact with, and supportsat least one of the inner longitudinal slat edge or the outerlongitudinal slat edge of each flexible slat.
 26. A covering forcontrolling transmission of light through an architectural feature, thecovering comprising: a flexible subassembly, the subassembly comprising:at least a first outer flexible elongate tape having a first end, asecond end, a length extending between the first end and the second endof the first outer flexible elongate tape, and a lateral widthperpendicular to the length of the first outer elongate tape; at least afirst inner flexible elongate tape having a first end, a second end, alength extending between the first end of the first inner elongate tapeand the second end of the first inner elongate tape, and a lateral widthperpendicular to the length of the first inner elongate tape; aplurality of flexible multilayered slats, each of the plurality ofmultilayered slats having at least two flexible slat layers, eachflexible slat layer having a slat layer first end, a slat layer secondend, an inner slat layer longitudinal edge, an outer slat layerlongitudinal edge, a slat layer length extending between the respectiveflat layer first end and the respective slat layer second end, and aslat layer width extending between the respective inner slat layerlongitudinal edge and the respective outer slat layer longitudinal edge,the plurality of multilayered slats disposed between and spaced apartalong the respective lengths of the first outer elongate tape and thefirst inner elongate tape, the length of each of the plurality offlexible multilayered slats oriented transverse to the respectivelengths of the first outer elongate tape and the first inner elongatetape, the first inner elongate tape and the first outer elongate tapeconfigured to move to manipulate the plurality of multilayered slatsbetween multiple positions; and at least a first elongate stiffenerhaving a first elongate stiffener end, a second elongate stiffener end,a first elongate stiffener length extending between the first elongatestiffener end and the second elongate stiffener end, and a firstelongate stiffener thickness perpendicular to the first elongatestiffener length, the first elongate stiffener length being at least 5times greater than the first elongate stiffener thickness, the at leasta first elongate stiffener associated with and directly attached to atleast one of the at least two slat layers and positioned so the firstelongate stiffener length extends in the direction of and along thelongitudinal edges of that at least one of the at least two slat layers;wherein the at least one of the at least two slat layers associated withand attached to the at least a first elongate stiffener is formed of atranslucent material, and the at least a first elongate stiffener isformed of a substantially transparent plastic material.